Nicky Catsburg takes engine change penalty hit for Race 1

Polestar Cyan Racing have made a precautionary engine change on the #63 Volvo S60 TC1 of Nicky Catsburg in Japan, which relegates the Dutchman to the back of the grid for the opening race.

Catsburg has qualified in second position for the main race, but with the reversed grid for the opening race, Catsburg was set to start eighth, gaining one spot as Honda driver Ryo Michigami also has an engine change penalty, as the Japanese driver has actually changed his entire car this weekend to the spare Honda Civic WTCC chassis and engine.

Catsburg now relinquishes that eighth and will start 17th and last, behind Michigami, for the opening race, with the championship contender tasked with working his way into the top ten to score as many points as possible in order to preserve his championship challenge. His second place start for the main race is unaffected.