Honda expects decision on WTCC future "soon"

Honda’s decision on whether it will continue to compete in the WTCC from next season onwards is due soon, according to the Japanese marque.

Norbert Michelisz, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

Tom Chilton, Sébastien Loeb Racing, Citroën C-Elysée WTCC

Winner Norbert Michelisz, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

Gabriele Tarquini, LADA Sport Rosneft, Lada Vesta, James Thompson, All-Inkl Motorsport, Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1

Ryo Michigami, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

Tiago Monteiro, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

Honda suggests the signs are good that it will continue following a strong result in Japan, where it scored a 1-2-3 in Race 1 with full weight onboard.

But officially the Japanese manufacturer is yet to commit to the championship next season, renewing the deal on a year-by-year basis.

It is currently enjoying its most competitive season to-date, with four race wins by all the three cars, with all of its drivers in close contention for the runner-up spot in the standings behind Jose Maria Lopez.

“Next season is not yet decided, but it is looking good especially after this 1-2-3 in Japan,” said Honda Europe motorsport manager William de Braekeleer.

“I think the lights might become even more green soon. There is no date fixed for when we will be announcing our intentions for next year, but I’m quite positive.”

With Citroen withdrawing from the championship at the end of this season, the French marque will only be represented by privateer teams next year.

The manufacturers which will remain on the grid are the much improved Lada Sport team and new-for-2016 Volvo factory team Polestar Cyan Racing, which were much closer to the leaders last weekend.

“[Volvo’s improvement I view] with great pleasure; as you can see in the rest of the championship it’s very exciting with Lada close as well,” added de Braekeleer.

“If Volvo can join the pack at the top, and as Citroen is leaving, it will make for an exciting season. We like exciting races. It’s never good in a championship that one brand is leading by a big margin, as it makes the championship not interesting.”