Honda finalising plans to continue on in 2016

Honda are set to confirm a continuation in the World Touring Car Championship in 2016, with the Japanese manufacturer working to finalise the details of their programme, which may see a change in driver line-up and number of cars run.

Honda joined the WTCC for the first time as a factory entry at the end of 2012, developing the Super 2000 TCT2 specification Honda Civic with Tiago Monteiro as their test and development driver, with Gabriele Tarquini joining Monteiro when the team entered the championship full-time in 2013.

Honda took three wins in their debut season, one last year as well as one with privateer entry Norbert Michelisz, and has scored another two this year, with another for Michelisz in his home country.

Honda is the last of the current manufacturers to announce they will be on the grid next season, with Citroën and Lada already committed to the championship for 2016.

“All I can say is, yes, we will be here,” said William De Braekeleer, Honda Europe motorsport manager to TouringCarTimes.

There could be changes ahead however, with the full details of the programme still be worked on by Honda’s head office.

“It’s a logical process to look around. As with many decisions with Honda, it will be made in consensus. There will be people discussing the driver line-up and number of cars for next season,” he added.

Expectations are the Honda will run at least two cars next season, or possibly expand to three, matching the number of cars run by Citroën Racing and Lada Sport.