New look, new hope for Honda in the WTCC

It’s all-change for the Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team for this weekend’s Hungaroring spectacular.

The Japanese make’s brace of JAS Motorsport-prepared Civic WTCCs will sport a brand-new look for the start of the FIA World Touring Car Championship’s European season.

As well as a new appearance to reflect the 2015 road car model design, the Civics incorporate several changes under the skin for MOL Group WTCC Race of Hungary, which takes place close to the capital Budapest from 1-3 May.

The more aggressive look is set to provide increased downforce and greater aerodynamic performance, reducing understeer in the high-speed corners. The revamped design also features redesigned brake cooling to help drivers Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini in higher ambient temperatures. Coupled with the loss of 60 kilograms in compensation weight, Honda is hoping to be an even stronger contender for WTCC success from Hungary onwards.

“I’m quite optimistic for good results in Budapest,” said Italian Tarquini, WTCC champion in 2009. “We now lose 60 kilograms of ballast which should make an impact on our race pace, plus the characteristics of the Civic will come to favour here so I am expecting us to be more competitive. Overtaking here isn’t easy, so qualifying well will be key. And we also have to consider tyre wear and manage it well.”

Monteiro, from Portugal, added: “I’m really motivated for this weekend. The Hungaroring is a very technical track, which suits our car well. We’ve a great chassis and the car is very strong under braking and turn-in, which is a necessity for a track like this. Plus we have the new aero kit coming in, which should really improve handling through the medium and high-speed corners. I’m really hoping to be in the fight for the front.”