Engine change for Ryo Michigami puts him to the back

Honda’s tumultuous weekend at their home race in Japan continues, as home hero Ryo Michigami has been forced to change his engine, which relegates him to the back of the grid for the opening race at Motegi.

The Honda Racing Team JAS squad have made a formal request to change the engine in the #34 Honda Civic, which automatically earns the driver a grid penalty for the next race, as engines are required to last for the full season in the WTCC.

Michigami had been a promising third fastest in the first free practice session, just behind team-mate Norbert Michelisz, with the Volvo of Nicky Catsburg second fastest in the Volvo.