Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro and Italian driver Gabriele Tarquini will race the European HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
2419 photos
10 videos
Civic 5-doorHonda Civic Gen.9Japan, 2011 > present85 versions
193 photos
in the World Touring Car Championship for 2013 for the Honda Racing Team JAS. It will be the team's first season in the WTCC. 

Honda is developing a bespoke 1.6 liter, turbocharged engine for the race car.

The team plans to enter one car driven by Monteiro in the races this season at Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau for testing. Tarquini was 2009 WTCC champion and will assist in development. 

"We are delighted to have Gabriele back with us and excited to welcome Tiago into the Honda racing family for the first time. Both are former Formula One drivers and have also proven time and again that they belong in the absolute top echelon of world touring car drivers. We are convinced that both drivers will contribute to the success of the Honda Civic in the FIA WTCC," said Hideo Sato, General Manager of Honda Motorsport Division. 

Tarquini raced in Formula 1 from 1987 to 1995. In 1997, 1999 and 2000, he drove for Honda in the British Touring Car Championship. He has raced in the WTCC since 2005 for Alfa RomeoAlfa RomeoItaly, 1910 > present108 models
2257 photos
7 videos
, SeatSeatSpain, 1950 > present29 models
2350 photos
4 videos
and now Honda. 

Monteiro raced in Formula 1 in 2005 and 2006. Since then he has raced in the WTCC for various teams but always in a Seat. He has also raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times.