Photo: WTCR

Norbert Michelisz sent to the back of the grid for Morocco Race 1

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Norbert Michelisz will start 25th and last for the first round of the 2018 World Touring Car Cup in Morocco, after Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing have advised his BRC Racing Team to change his engine after qualifying.

The Hungarian had qualified in second position, after initially holding provisional pole position in the Saturday afternoon qualifying which sets the grid for the first of three races this weekend at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan.

With engines required to last a full season unless changed due to force majueure, typically damage caused by another competitor, Michelisz takes a full grid penalty and drops to the back of the order.

This promotes the second BRC Hyundai of team-mate Gabriele Tarquini to second, with WRT Audi’s Jean-Karl Vernay now starting third for his first World Touring Car career race.