Honda take over manufacturers’ points lead after disastrous weekend for Volvo

Honda have moved ahead in the manufacturers’ points table after the latest races in Argentina, while Volvo had a comparatively bad weekend despite setting pole position on Saturday, with Norbert Michelisz leading a Honda 1-2 in Race 2, with Tiago Monteiro the best-placed of all of the manufacturer drivers in the first race.

Volvo’s points-hit mainly comes as only one of the Swedish manufacturer’s cars finished the first race, with Nicky Catsburg retiring with a puncture and with Néstor Girolami out with an electronics issue.

Michelisz powered to his second win of the season in the main race ahead of team-mate and drivers’ championship leader Tiago Monteiro, with the Japanese marque now leading the manufacturers’ table by eight points heading into the 13-week long mid-season break.

“I’m really happy with the result today,” said Michelisz. “To take my second main race win in a row is a very special feeling. The team have done an amazing job right from the first free practice session and I’ve had the confidence to really attack the circuit all weekend.

“I’m now third in the drivers’ championship, which is the highest I’ve been since the first round of the season, and Honda are also ahead in the manufacturers’ championship, which shows what a good job we’ve done as a team this weekend.”