Honda pace hits them hard for Shanghai with 40kg weight gain

The Honda Civic WTCC cars of Gabriele Tarquini, Tiago Monteiro and Norbert Michelisz will all carry 40kg of compensation ballast at the next round of the World Touring Car Championship in Shanghai on September 27th after the latest rolling three-race calculation of compensation weights were announced by the FIA.

The three Honda drivers were on pace all weekend at the last round in Japan, with Gabriele Tarquini topping all Free Practice sessions, while Norbert Michelisz stormed to pole position on Saturday, depriving Citroën of that honour for the first time this season. Although José María López struck back and won the first race for Citroën, Tarquini picked up the fastest lap in the race, while Tiago Monteiro did the same on his way to victory in race two.

With qualifying and race performances from Paul Ricard, Vila Real and Motegi used to calculate the compensation weight for Shanghai, the Citroën C-Elysées will still carry maximum ballast of 60kg in China, while the Honda’s swing from 0kg to 40kg next weekend.

The three Lada Vestas will remain on no ballast, while the Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1s will all drop to 0kg from 10kg.

FIA WTCC – Race Of China Compensation Weights

Car – Gap – Ballast – Total Weight
Citroën C-Elysée WTCC – 0.0 – +60kg – 1,160kg
Honda Civic WTCC – 0.9 – +40kg – 1,140kg
Lada Vesta WTCC – 1.3 – +0kg – 1,100kg
Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 – 0.8 – +0kg – 1,100kg