Honda has confirmed that it will not change its driver line-up in the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) in 2020, with Esteban Guerrieri, Néstor Girolami, Attila Tassi and Tiago Monteiro all continuing with the marque.
The teams in which the drivers will race will be confirmed at a later date. In 2019 Münnich Motorsport ran Guerrieri and Girolami, whilst KCMG ran Tassi and Monteiro.
Argentine racer Guerrieri was in contention for the overall title until the very last race of the year, eventually finishing second overall as he claimed four wins in his best-ever season in World Touring Cars.
“After a fantastic season in 2019, I’m so excited to be staying with Honda in 2020 and really feel we can push for the title, that we so narrowly missed out on, once again,” said Guerrieri.
“The Civic Type R TCR is a fantastic car in so many ways and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel for testing.”
Guerrieri’s compatriot Girolami was also at the sharp end of the drivers’ standings early in the year, with the 30-year-old going on to claim three wins on his way to seventh overall.
“Three wins was honestly more than I was expecting in 2019 and it’s a great place from which to start my preparations for 2020,” said Girolami.
“Last year I really enjoyed my season as team-mate to Esteban and I’m sure that I can be even more competitive going forwards and fight for the championship myself and for my team.”
On his first full season since returning to racing, Monteiro was 20th in the standings, as KCMG lacked the pace to challenge at the front as Münnich Motorsport had managed.
Despite that, the Portuguese racer still managed to claim a memorable home win in Vila Real in the summer.
“This will be my ninth season as a Honda Racing driver and I couldn’t be happier to extend my relationship,” said Monteiro, 43.
“My comeback year in 2019 was tough as the level of competition was higher than it’s ever been in World Touring Cars and I had to get myself fully up-to-speed very quickly.
“The win in Portugal and the pole position in Japan were some of the best feelings I’ve ever had in a racing car and I’m keen to add more successes this season.”
Tassi will take part in his second season as a Honda backed-driver, with the young 20-year-old Hungarian having showed front-running pace with a pole position in Portugal.
“I’m very pleased to continue as a Honda Racing driver in the WTCR in 2020,” said Tassi. “I had some very good moments in my rookie season, like my pole position in Portugal and the Nurburgring event where we had podium-pace.
“If we can avoid some of the bad luck that happened – especially on the first laps of some of the late-season races – then I think I can take a big step forwards.”