All you need to know about WTCC MAC3

An exciting new initiative from FIA World Touring Car Championship promoter Eurosport Events, Manufacturers Against the Clock (WTCC MAC3) is a first for global motorsport and takes place for the first time at Circuit Paul Ricard this Saturday (2 April).

Inspired by professional cycling events such as the Tour de France and timed by TAG Heuer, WTCC MAC3 will put team competition to the fore at each WTCC event from 2016.

WTCC registered car makes Citroën, Honda and LADA (Polestar will participate when it enters a third car) will nominate three drivers to take part in WTCC MAC3, which will take place straight after the completion of Qualifying Q3.

They will score points towards their WTCC Manufacturers’ Championship totals and benefit from an extended live broadcasting, live streaming and digital coverage package to drive more value to the WTCC Manufacturers’ Championship, while offering new story-telling opportunities.

And this is how it works:

1: Manufacturers nominate their three drivers before the end of technical scrutineering.
2: They can refuel their cars and fit new tyres following Qualifying but nothing else.
3: Teams go in reverse championship order to heighten the drama and buzz.
4: Once all three cars are lined up side by side on the grid, the clock starts and stops as soon as the manufacturer’s last car completes two flying laps (one lap at the Nürburgring Nordschleife).
5: The fastest team gets 10 points towards the WTCC Manufacturers’ Championship (eight for second, six for third). Failure to get all three cars over the line means no points. Similarly, if the second or third car doesn’t finish within a maximum of 15 seconds after the first car then zero points will be awarded.

What the WTCC drivers said:

Nicky Catsburg (LADA Sport Rosneft): “It’s all new and that makes it interesting. There is a bit of strategy there and we cannot ask somebody how they did that in the past because it’s all new. Maybe we should ask the guys in cycling!”

Rob Huff (Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team): “WTCC MAC3 is one of those things that is totally different to anything we’ve ever done as drivers before. This really is about team work. It’s about working for the three of us to get across the line as quickly as possible. With MAC3 with Honda we have the strongest opportunity that Honda have ever had to be manufacturers’ world champions this year. The great thing we’re going to have is consistency between the three drivers. We’ve got a strong driver line-up across all three of us.”

Tiago Monteiro (Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team): “I like the concept, I like the idea and we’ve been looking and simulating what are the best options. It’s a first and it’s great for us as a championship to innovate like this. It might need some fine-tuning later on but that’s okay, as long as we find a good, nice show for the fans, that’s the most important thing.”

Yvan Muller (Citroën Total WTCC): “I am pleased to see some good, new things like this. It’s always important to bring something new. Sometimes it can be a mistake and we come back, sometimes it can be a good evolution. You know 10 years ago we never spoke about reverse grid, but now it’s normal. Ten years ago we never talked about weight penalty, but now it’s normal. So why not MAC3 and why not some other ideas. WTCC again on this point is trying to find some new ideas to bring more spectators to the championship.”