Gabriele Tarquini in talks with Honda for 2013

Gabriele Tarquini has confirmed he is in talks with Honda regarding the Japanese manufacturer’s 2013 two car programme with the new Honda Civic Super 2000.

The 50-year-old Italian has driven for SEAT teams in the WTCC since 2006, but with SEAT this year only present supporting customers and no announcement due soon as to whether they will enter as a full manufacturer next season, Tarquini admits the first place to look would be the new J.A.S. Motorsport run Honda team.

“For everybody outside of Chevrolet it’s a great opportunity as at the moment they’re the only manufacturer team,” said Tarquini to TouringCarTimes.

“I’ve been speaking with them for the past three months, but at the moment nothing’s in place. Maybe they’re not worried to choose their drivers yet, as next season is still a long way away. There’s still the winter break, this summer – so there’s a lot of time to decide, I don’t think they’ll decide their drivers for next season immediately.”

Honda’s plan is to enter the final three rounds of this season, starting in September in Japan, but Tarquini confirms he won’t be switching across this year.

“I’m in a deal with LUKOIL for 2012 and I want to respect that deal and I will be in the SEAT all the way up to Macau, I’m 100% sure,” he said.