WTCC 2017 – Revised line-up for Honda in China

FIA World Touring Car Championship leaders Honda head to China this weekend with a revised driver line-up as the ultra-competitive battle for the title resumes at the brand-new Ningbo International Speedpark.

Drivers’ Championship leader Tiago Monteiro has unfortunately been forced to withdraw from the event on medical advice following his high-speed testing accident in Spain last month.

He has been replaced in China by 2009 WTCC Champion Gabriele Tarquini as he continues his recovery at home in Portugal.

With 22 career wins, Gabriele is one of the most successful drivers on the grid this weekend. The Italian, who was part of Honda’s 2013 Manufacturers’ title-winning line-up with Tiago, has won races in 11 of the past 12 WTCC seasons.

Third in the Drivers’ Championship is Norbert Michelisz, who won the Main Races in Portugal and Argentina before the WTCC took a 12-week summer break.

The Hungarian aims to continue his superb mid-season form and close in on the championship lead, as well as helping Honda to maintain the lead of the Manufacturers’ points table.

Fresh from the best qualifying performance of his WTCC career in Argentina, Japan’s Ryo Michigami is eyeing yet more progress.

The Honda Racing Team JAS driver qualified ninth at Termas de Rio Hondo and has the added benefit of starting on a level playing field with the rest of the drivers, none of whom have driven at Ningbo before.

The 4.0-kilometre circuit is located 250km south of Shanghai in China’s Zhejiang province and was completed to FIA Grade Two standard in September this year.

Following victories at the past two events, the Civics carry the maximum 80kg success ballast in China, making them the heaviest cars in the field.

Gabriele Tarquini

“I’m pleased to return to the Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team, although I wish it had been in happier circumstances. Tiago is a fantastic driver who has rightfully earned his place at the top of the championship and it’s a huge shame he has to miss this weekend. I’ll do the very best job I can for Tiago and the team and hope that the combination of my experience of the Civic WTCC from 2014-15 and the levelling factor of a brand-new circuit can help me fight for a strong pair of results.”
– Castrol Honda WTCC

Norbert Michelisz

“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel in China. Three months is a long time to be away from the WTCC, but it’s given me a chance to recharge my batteries after an intensive first half of the season. Of course, I am very sorry for Tiago, and I’m sure he’ll come back stronger than ever in Japan. There have been some excellent developments on the car since Argentina that have improved the performance of the Civic. It will be extremely tough to make it three Main Race wins in a row with 80kg ballast in the car, but we’ll work together to do the best job we can for the team.”
– Castrol Honda WTCC

Ryo Michigami

“I’m looking forward to racing at Ningbo. Normally I’m at a disadvantage because other drivers know the tracks better than me, but at a brand-new circuit everybody starts on the same level. My last two qualifying performances have been the best of my WTCC career and I’m confident that I can continue that improvement this weekend. Carrying 80kg success ballast will be a challenge, but we’ve made some gains with the car’s performance in a lot of key areas during the summer and Gabriele, Norbi and I are looking forward to using these to our advantage this weekend to do the best job we can for the team and for Tiago.”
– Honda Racing Team JAS