Honda say WTCR entry for 2019 still to be decided

Honda are yet to commit to the 2019 World Touring Car Cup season, with the Japanese marque’s programme far behind their rivals, with Hyundai, Lynk & Co and Volkswagen already having made announcements.

The Japanese manufacturer issued a press release today, listing all their motorsport programmes for 2019, with no detail about their official programme in WTCR other than:

“Honda will make an announcement about the team competing in the series as soon as the details are decided.”

Honda supported drivers Esteban Guerrieri and Tiago Monteiro in the 2018 season, placed with Münnich and Boutsen Ginion Racing respectively, though Monteiro was only able to take part in one event.

There were three other Hondas on the grid in 2018, with Yann Ehrlacher, James Thompson and Timo Scheider all racing for Münnich, while Tom Coronel drove the full season with Boutsen Ginion Racing, with Benjamin Lessennes and Ma Qing Hua deputising for Monteiro during the races in which he didn’t take part.

Should Honda not officially enter the WTCR, it’s still certain, as also confirmed by Honda today, that JAS-built Honda cars would still be on the grid in the hands of privateer drivers and teams, but it’d be the first time Honda haven’t had an official presence in World Touring Cars since 2011.