Honda returns to Argentina this weekend aiming to add to the three victories already secured in the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship. Tiago Monteiro, Rob Huff and Norbert Michelisz all head to Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on strong form, with five podium finishes between them in the past six races that have helped Honda consolidate second place in the manufacturers’ championship.
The 4.8km Rio Hondo circuit has hosted the WTCC since 2013 and is a happy hunting ground for the factory Civics, which have a 100 per cent finishing record at the track and Honda are looking to extend that run this weekend. A superb victory from pole position in the Main Race on the streets of Vila Real moved Tiago into second place in the drivers’ championship. The Portuguese finished third in Argentina last year and buoyed by a successful mid-season test in Spain recently is aiming for a repeat performance. Rob, who was also testing the Civic WTCC in Spain, has a second place to his name from the 2014 event in Argentina. The Briton is seventh in the championship, but only 18 points the equivalent of a single second-place finish from the runner-up spot in a hotly-contested battle. Norbert is also part of that battle and lies sixth in the championship standings. The Hungarian finished second in Argentina in 2014 and knows that a repeat result will give him a landmark 30th podium finish in the WTCC. Following victory for Tiago at his home event, the Civics will carry 60kg of compensation weight in Argentina, meaning that the cars continue at their heaviest weight of the season.
Tiago Monteiro, Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team, said: “I’m looking forward to racing in Argentina; it’s a wonderful country that welcomes the championship with open arms. I won the last race in Portugal, which was a fantastic feeling, and it’s allowed me to go into the summer break feeling on top form and ready for the rest of the season. I finished third in Argentina last year and the aim has to be to improve on that result this weekend. I’m currently second in the championship, but with seven other drivers really close to me, so a strong weekend is critical.” Rob Huff, Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team, said: “It’s been good to have a few weeks to recharge the batteries, but I’m raring to get back behind the wheel of the Civic WTCC in Argentina. Rio Hondo is typical of modern circuits with a good blend of corners and a hairpin at the end of a long straight that should provide a decent overtaking opportunity. After the great team performance in Portugal we’re again carrying 60kg of compensation weight, which could make things a little tricky if we get high temperatures, but we’ve seen the car perform well virtually everywhere this year and there’s no reason to think we can’t be in the hunt again this weekend.” Norbert Michelisz, Honda Racing Team JAS, said: “The last six races have been very good for me as I’ve scored points in all of them and made it to the podium four times, which has helped me to keep up a good position in the championship; only a few points away from second place overall. With 60kg of compensation weight, a lot of long corners and high temperatures expected, tyre management will be key. I’m sure we can do a good job and score some big points for Honda to help improve the championship position.”