Thompson back with Hartmann for European Cup

James Thompson and the Hartmann Honda Racing team have reunited after splitting just before the start of the Scandinavian Touring Car Cup.

Thompson currently leads the European Touring Car Cup standings after winning the first race, and taking third in the second race at the opening event of the cup back in March.

As there’s been such a long break, with the next round of the European Touring Car Cup in Austria on 25th July – despite leaving the team over two months ago, Thompson hasn’t missed a round.

“Last month I got a call from James, who inquired into the possibilities to resume our co-operation,” says team owner Hans Hartmann. “We won of course the first of the European Cup races together this year in Portugal, and James expressed that he would like to resume co-operation with us.”

“James and I have reached an agreement which keeps both sides happy, so we can continue our wonderful co-operation, which since 2008 has given us more wins and also a championship,” says Hans Hartmann, speaking of last year’s European Cup.

The split was reportedly because Hartmann removed James’ engineer, Marco Calovolo from the team – and Thompson refused to work without him and so subsequently left. This was the week before the team were due to take part in the new Scandinavian Touring Car Cup as well as the Danish Touring Car season.

Thompson leads the European Touring Car Cup standings with 16 points, from Cesar Campaniço on 15 – who will not be taking part at Austria. Kristian Poulsen, who won his first WTCC independents category race last time out at Zolder, is in 3rd place on 14 points.

The next round of the European Touring Car Cup is on July 25th at the Salzburgring, where the Cup last took place as a single event in 2008.