Photo: WTCC

Ups and downs for Honda in Moscow

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The Honda drivers had a FIA World Touring Car Championship weekend with ups and downs in Moscow. Gabriele Tarquini qualified second and finished second in the first race.
“I nearly lost the car at the start but managed to keep my position. I pushed hard and maybe too hard for the first two laps then I decided to save the front tyres and secure the second position,” said Tarquini.

Tiago Monteiro, who is the best placed Honda driver in the championship with fourth, had a tough weekend with seventh in the first race and a retirement as well as a grid penalty for colliding with Tom Chilton in the second race.
“I had determined to be aggressive from the start but there was no way through for me and both Gabri and I lost time. Then I was fighting under pressure from Muller and I left my braking far too late and gave away positions,” said Monteiro.

Independent Honda drivers Norbert Michelisz and Mehdi Bennani had a mixed weekend as well with Michelisz finishing ninth and seventh in the two races while Bennani scored his first podium of the year in the second race with third.
”I am very happy now with this result. The car was perfect. We have had some unhappy results so far this season but this gives a boost for the next races. The WTCC cars are very difficult so I am especially proud – as a private driver – to be on the podium with works drivers,” said Bennani.

Tarquini is fifth in the drivers’ championship while Michelisz is ninth and Bennani tenth.