WTCC boss heralds return to Macau for 2017

After just two years away, the World Touring Car Championship has included the Guia Race of Macau on its 2017 schedule, now as the penultimate event of the season, with Monza, a key race in the history of the championship also back on the calendar.

Macau has played host to the TCR International Series finale during the last two years while the WTCC has gone to Losail, Qatar, but Macau will again be on the WTCC calendar, with the FIA will now sanctioning the touring car, GT and Formula 3 races at the circuit next year.

“We’ve always kept the door open to Macau and we’re very happy to go back to one of most iconic street races in the world,” said championship promoter Francois Ribeiro.

“Macau is very special, probably the strongest race in Asia. Discussions with the new local management resumed earlier this year and were smooth and straightforward with a great willingness on both sides to create an extremely successful event. There’s obviously a synergy with other FIA categories included in the Macau Grand Prix weekend.”

Monza will also return to the WTCC calendar after a three-year absence. The Italian circuit will host the second round of the championship on April 30th, along with the opening round of the European Touring Car Cup.

“WTCC has tradition at Monza,” said Ribeiro. “The inaugural WTCC race took place there in 1987, the first round of the revived series was hosted at Monza in 2005 and it’s always been known for producing high-quality races. It provides a central location and we’ll soon announce a date for the pre-season test at Monza. We’re very pleased the WTCC is returning after a three-year absence.”