Tarquini Victory Seals World Championship Title for Honda Civic

Tarquini Victory Seals World Championship Title for Honda Civic

Gabriele Tarquini won the Race 2 at Sonoma, California yesterday to secure the FIA World Touring Car Manufacturers Championship for Honda. This was the 19th win of his career.

Gabriele Tarquini

 

Honda showcased the Civic's competitive pedigree with the victory and finishes of third and fifth. Tarquini got on to a great start and took victory 2.4 seconds ahead of the second place man. Norbert Michelisz set the fastest lap in his bid for second whilst Tiago Monteiro fought hard to reach fifth after starting 8th.

“My start was like a masterpiece to get ahead of the rear wheel drive car and once ahead I just kept the pace to maintain the gap in front. It is a great victory for me and the team and a very special win for Honda,” said the experienced Italian as he mounted the victory podium. With six races left, Gabriele is still in the running for the Drivers’ Championship after moving up to second in the table.

Michelisz had to defend his position against the current Championship leader and in the process, he clearly demonstrated his talents along with the Civic's prowess. “For me and the Zengo Motorsport team a place on the podium here means so much. It is a drivers’ circuit so I am pleased to get this result. The Honda is superb and we get better and better as the season moves on so I am really looking forward to Japan and the last races of the year,” said Norbi.

Tiago Monteiro also had a strong showing at Sonoma. “I have had some bad luck days this season but when you come to this great circuit and get these results it makes everyone happy. Now we move to Suzuka where I started with the Civic last year right at the start of our development program so it will be great to see how far we have moved forward.”

As shared by Daisuke Horiuchi, Large Project leader for WTCC development from Honda R & D, it had been a perfect weekend for the team. We look forward to Honda's home race at next WTCC event at Suzuka on 22 September where an additional Honda Civic WTCC will be driven in that event by Takuya Izawa!