30 March 2016

Rob Huff feels he will be in a “prize-winning position” from the very beginning of the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), and finishing the year inside the top three overall is his chief target as he goes into the season-opening Race of France at Circuit Paul Ricard (1-3 April).

The Briton, who is presently placed second in the WTCC’s all-time winners list, joined the factory Castrol Honda Racing team over the winter and this fresh start has only heightened his determination to add a second World Championship to his racing résumé, having won his first four years ago in 2012.

However, Huff’s short-term objective is to bag consistent points in pursuit of the Manufacturers’ title for Honda and third in the Drivers’ standings, although he insists race victories will be achievable.

Keen to commence his charge at the fast and technical Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, Huff said: “I’m very excited about my first race weekend with Castrol Honda Racing. Pre-season testing went well, but you never quite know where you stand in relation to the competition until you arrive at the first race, so it’s going to be interesting.

“Circuit Paul Ricard wasn’t particularly great for me last year due to a mechanical failure, but the season before that I came from 15th to fifth, so it has treated me well in the past. It’s a fast and technical track that I really like, so I have to look at getting some good points in the bag. A championship win against Citroen is unlikely in 2016, so my focus will be on securing P3 and to win the Manufacturers’ crown for Honda. I believe we will be in prize-winning position from the off.”

The WTCC introduces a number of new rules and initiatives in an attempt to improve the show and mix up the order in 2016.

Firstly, there will be an ‘Opening Race’ and a ‘Main Race’ and, in contrast to previous years, a reversed grid will be implemented in the first tie, rather than the second.

However, the most notable addition to the format is the introduction of the ‘Manufacturers Against the Clock’ team time trial.

Under the ‘WTCC MAC3’ scheme, inspired by the legendary Tour de France cycle race, the works teams – Honda, Citroen and LADA – will be required to nominate three drivers to complete two flying laps on fresh fuel and tyres after qualifying.

The clock starts when a team’s three cars leave the grid together and then stops once the last car completes two flying laps, and the fastest team gets ten points towards the WTCC Manufacturers’ Championship, with eight for finishing second and six for third.

Speaking about the new initiatives, Huff said: “The new ‘WTCC MAC3’ idea could open up a lot of opportunities for teams and I think Castrol Honda Racing has a real shot at being the best-placed manufacturer come the end of the year, with three very capable drivers in its stable. We’ve done a bit of practice during winter testing and we’re confident in the way we drive. It will be interesting to see the different approaches and how things go right and wrong. There are absolutely no guarantees, but lots of inconsistencies that will make it very tricky. Ultimately, you can plan as much as you like, but it’s all about getting off the line as quickly as possible.

“This is my 12th season in the WTCC and changes have been made to the format almost every year. The situation is the same for everybody and you just have to take it as it comes. It will be quite exciting to have the reversed grid for race one, as it will undoubtedly change how a lot of teams and drivers approach the race. Do you attack in race one, or not?”

Rob Huff feels he will be in a “prize-winning position” from the very beginning of the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), and finishing the year inside the top three overall is his chief target as he goes into the season-opening Race of France at Circuit Paul Ricard (1-3 April). 
The Briton, who is presently placed second in the WTCC’s all-time winners list, joined the factory Castrol Honda Racing team over the winter and this fresh start has only heightened his determination to add a second World Championship to his racing résumé, having won his first four years ago in 2012.

However, Huff’s short-term objective is to bag consistent points in pursuit of the Manufacturers’ title for Honda and third in the Drivers’ standings, although he insists race victories will be achievable.

Keen to commence his charge at the fast and technical Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, Huff said: “I’m very excited about my first race weekend with Castrol Honda Racing. Pre-season testing went well, but you never quite know where you stand in relation to the competition until you arrive at the first race, so it’s going to be interesting.

“Circuit Paul Ricard wasn’t particularly great for me last year due to a mechanical failure, but the season before that I came from 15th to fifth, so it has treated me well in the past. It’s a fast and technical track that I really like, so I have to look at getting some good points in the bag. A championship win against Citroen is unlikely in 2016, so my focus will be on securing P3 and to win the Manufacturers’ crown for Honda. I believe we will be in prize-winning position from the off.”

The WTCC introduces a number of new rules and initiatives in an attempt to improve the show and mix up the order in 2016.

Firstly, there will be an ‘Opening Race’ and a ‘Main Race’ and, in contrast to previous years, a reversed grid will be implemented in the first tie, rather than the second.

However, the most notable addition to the format is the introduction of the ‘Manufacturers Against the Clock’ team time trial.

Under the ‘WTCC MAC3’ scheme, inspired by the legendary Tour de France cycle race, the works teams – Honda, Citroen and LADA – will be required to nominate three drivers to complete two flying laps on fresh fuel and tyres after qualifying.

The clock starts when a team’s three cars leave the grid together and then stops once the last car completes two flying laps, and the fastest team gets ten points towards the WTCC Manufacturers’ Championship, with eight for finishing second and six for third.

Speaking about the new initiatives, Huff said: “The new ‘WTCC MAC3’ idea could open up a lot of opportunities for teams and I think Castrol Honda Racing has a real shot at being the best-placed manufacturer come the end of the year, with three very capable drivers in its stable. We’ve done a bit of practice during winter testing and we’re confident in the way we drive. It will be interesting to see the different approaches and how things go right and wrong. There are absolutely no guarantees, but lots of inconsistencies that will make it very tricky. Ultimately, you can plan as much as you like, but it’s all about getting off the line as quickly as possible.

“This is my 12th season in the WTCC and changes have been made to the format almost every year. The situation is the same for everybody and you just have to take it as it comes. It will be quite exciting to have the reversed grid for race one, as it will undoubtedly change how a lot of teams and drivers approach the race. Do you attack in race one, or not?”