– Michelisz and Monteiro among title contenders after 2017 drives confirmed
– Long-term factory Honda racer Michigami gets season-long campaign
– Testing programme underway as glory push intensifies
Honda has enforced its commitment to the FIA World Touring Car Championship by confirming it will enter a three-car factory line-up for a second season running.
Norbert Michelisz and Tiago Monteiro will be among the title contenders, while Ryo Michigami becomes the first Japanese driver to mount a season-long WTCC campaign with a works team having made his debut when the series visited Japan last season.
The trio will join forces to bid for the coveted FIA World Touring Car Championship for Manufacturers, which Honda won for the first time in 2013, its first full season as an official entrant. They will also be in line to represent Team Honda in the Manufacturers Against the Clock (WTCC MAC3) Tour de France-inspired team time trial at all 10 events in 2017 when extra manufacturer points will be up for grabs.
“While Honda’s continued factory presence in the WTCC has been known for some months, we have been eagerly awaiting confirmation of its driver line-up and we’re thrilled that Norbi and Tiago will again form part of the team and doubtless challenge for the world driver title,