Roberto Colciago highly motivated ahead of top-flight touring car return

Roberto Colciago says he’s motivated, but also surprised at the pace of developments over the last year, which see the 48-year-old make his return to the international touring car stage, now set to be the lead Honda driver in the 2017 TCR International Series.

The Italian dominated the 2016 TCR Italy series, running in a Honda Civic TCR run by AGS Motorsport, winning eight of the first ten races on an easy path to the title.

Colciago then claimed pole position and won on his first outing in the TCR International Series at the Sepang circuit last year, which has helped secure him the drive with Norbert Michelisz’s new M1RA operation this year, with support from builder’s JAS Motorsport.

After a number of years away from the race track, Colciago’s happy with his performance after returning to the race track last year.

“When I was offered the programme in the 2016 TCR Italy series, I was happy to accept,” said Colciago. “I just wanted to do well, but then things evolved quite quickly and unexpectedly. Here I am, facing my return to an international top-level series with plenty of motivation. The only issue I have is with the travelling, because it will interfere with my professional activity.”

Colciago was a star of the Super Touring era, winning the Swedish Touring Car Championship in 2001 and 2002 with Kristoffersson Motorsport in an Audi A4, whilst also racing in the European Super Touring Championship with AGS, but says the closer to production TCR-type cars suit him more these days.

“This kind of car is suited very well to ‘aged’ drivers,” explained Colciago. “They are fun to drive and the regulations keep the field levelled. Experience plays a crucial role in set up and strategy. But in the end, a driver of my age is offered a programme only if he proves to be up to the task. As always I have to thank JAS Motorsport for trusting me.”