Gianni Morbidelli hoping to be back with WestCoast in 2016

Gianni Morbidelli scored a sixth and a fourth in Macau, despite a drive-through penalty in the second heat after Craft-Bamboo Lukoil issued a protest for a starting grid infringement. The WestCoast Racing driver was disappointed after engine problems with his new Step 2 Honda Civic TCR continued to plague him in the two races, but nevertheless hopes to be back on the grid with the Swedish squad for 2016 to fight for the title.

“I was completely down on power, it was embarrassing,” admitted Morbidelli to TouringCarTimes. “The weekend had started in a bad way and continued to be difficult, I knew I had engine problems but they emerged in the races when I found myself a sitting duck on the straights.”

An overtake from Target Competition’s Jordi Oriola on the outside of Mandarin highlighted the issue.

“Of course he basically overtook me on the straight, there was not much I could do. I struggled to fend off my team-mate Kevin (Gleason), it’s on television and I think it was pretty clear.”

Morbidelli was full of praise for his team and confessed he would like to continue with them.

“I like WestCoast Racing, they are fantastic professionals and they gave me so much all year. I have to say that I now feel I have some unfinished business here, I fought for the title until mid-season, before a few issues prevented me from continuing what I had started. I would definitely like to come back next year, but it’s all a guessing game at the moment, it will take some time before a decision is taken.”

The Honda driver is convinced the level of the championship will raise even further.

“I expect to see a large grid with big names in great cars next year, the level is surely going up and therefore I wouldn’t take it for granted that I will be at the front, it will be hard work and we will all start over.

“It was a frustrating year because I know the potential was there to take much better results, but it is what it is. I would have loved to be more competitive here, because the team deserved a great result and some thrills, but again we were slowed down by problems. The car is still very young, but it’s still frustrating. I hope I will be back next year for another shot at the title.”