2013 WTCC drivers and teams
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The grid is not coming together at the same rate as the BTCC but there are at least a few drivers and teams confirmed. This is how things stand at the moment.
Bamboo Engineering – Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T
James Nash (GBR)
???Honda Racing – Honda Civic
Gabriele Tarquini (ITA)
Tiago Monteiro (POR)Engstler Motorsport – BMW 320 TC
Franz Engstler (GER)
Charles Ng (HKG)Lukoil Lada – Lada Granta WTCC
James Thompson (GBR)
Aleksei Dudukalo (RUS)Münnich Motorsport – SEAT Leon WTCC
Rene Münnich (GER)
Marc Basseng (GER)
Markus Winkelhock (GER)ROAL Motorsport – BMW 320 TC
???
???Zengo Motorsport – Honda Civic
Norbert Michelisz (HUN)I don’t think the Zengo-Honda tie-up has been on any news websites yet, just the Zengo Motorsport website.
http://www.zengomotorsport.hu/breking_hondaval_folytatjuk_videoval
Translated from Hungarian, the basics are they will be a single car entry for Norbi and will not be eligible for the Yokohama trophy due to the Honda factory support. The lack of the development of the BMW was a reason for the switch, the teams rely entirely on the manufacturers providing updates which they can’t do themselves due to the cost. The S2000 regulations are after all a watered down version of the old Super Touring regs. The factory tie up might also mean they get the 2014 updates provided for them for the new regulations. Bigger tyres, bigger bodywork and more aero; where have I seen that before, Mr Gow?
It’s certainly not bad, but perhaps they could have used something a little more professional than MS Paint …
Anybody know if the Maserati Trofeo cup is running again in support races for WTCC? I mentioned somewhere before but I saw the series last year at Sonoma and the Maserati’s were not only quicker than the touring cars but their exhaust note is fantastic. (racing was better quality for sure though in touring cars)
So 7 weeks before the start of the season we so far have 12 cars confirmed for the season opening Race of Italy while the BTCC so far has 22 cars confirmed for Brands Hatch a week later. It does tend to be around February that a lot of WTCC entries get announced though, there are still drivers like Huff, Muller, Menu, Coronel, D’Aste and Oriola who haven’t got anything confirmed yet.
@robk23 – The BTCC has been a stronger series than the WTCC for years now.
Münnich Motorsport are currently testing at the Circuito de Navarra for the first time. Stefano D’Aste and Pasquale di Sabatino will both be joining the Superstars Series test tomorrow.
Tom Coronel and ROAL Motorsport confirm their return.
http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=8575
EDIT: Darryl O’Young will be in the second ROAL car.
Alex MacDowall will remain at Bamboo Racing this year and will race alongside new team-mate, James Nash
Alex MacDowall has re-signed with @bambooracing for a second consecutive season in the #WTCC. http://t.co/O7eI9KY2
— WTCC (@FIA_WTCC) February 14, 2013
At least this year Bamboo have two drivers with stable finances.
So now we’re up to 15 cars. Two weeks to go until the entry deadline.
@robk23 Thank you a lot for the updates! While only one free race seat is available in F1 for 2013, we still don’t know how many cars are going to participate in the 2013 WTCC season and if the current world champion Huff and the multiple world champion Muller will be on the grid at all. Muller has promised to announce his 2013 plans soon and Huff says he has many options, too.
I wonder who are the most likely title favourites? Tarquini? Coronel?
wonder who are the most likely title favourites? Tarquini? Coronel?
I would say Tarquini or one of the Crevrolets.
The clear title favourite has to be Tarquini. I would expect the likes of Monteiro, Michelisz and Coronel to be nearer the front too from what we’ve got so far. Depending on how the Lada project is getting on (they’ve been testing and developing the car for nearly a year) then Thommo might throw up a few surprises. Best finish of 2012, 11th in Portugal in a car which has since done a lot more test mileage.
As for the Yokohama Trophy, we need to figure out who will be eligible. Tarquini, Monteiro, Thommo and Dudukalo are works entries so they are out. Winkelhock won’t be in as he has raced in F1 and Coronel has F1 testing experience so he’s out too. Michelisz won’t be in as Zengo are getting support from Honda.
So here’s the grid so far.
Bamboo Engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T
James Nash (GBR)
Alex MacDowall (GBR)Honda Racing Honda Civic
Gabriele Tarquini (ITA)
Tiago Monteiro (POR)Engstler Motorsport BMW 320 TC
Franz Engstler (GER)
Charles Ng (HKG)Lada Sport Lada Granta WTCC
James Thompson (GBR)
Aleksei Dudukalo (RUS)Munnich Motorsport SEAT Leon WTCC
Rene Munnich (GER)
Marc Basseng (GER)
Markus Winkelhock (GER)Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC
Mehdi Bennani (MAR)ROAL Motorsport BMW 320 TC
Tom Coronel (NED)
Darryl O’Young (HKG)Zengo Motorsport Honda Civic
Norbert Michelisz (HUN)Yvan Muller will be on the WTCC grid in 2013 although he hasn’t confirmed which team he will drive for.
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