Honda Racing drivers endured a gruelling WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup qualifying session ahead of the third round of the season at Motorland Aragon.
In searing conditions, with temperatures pushing 35C, Esteban Guerrieri fared the best of the foursome by dragging his ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Honda Civic Type R TCR to the 16th-fastest time as pre-event changes to the Balance of Performance and the addition of compensation weight for the first time in 2021 took their toll.
His stablemate Nestor Girolami improved on his final flying lap, though to 20th position only.
As a result, ‘Bebu’ is due to start Race One from the back of the field due to a three-place grid penalty incurred at the previous round.
Tiago Monteiro was less than a tenth further back in his ALL-INKL.DE Münnich Motorsport Civic Type R TCR, while Attila Tassi was unable to set a time in qualifying after stopping on his first attempt at a flying lap in Q1.
That problem was later diagnosed as a broken fuel pump and means the Hungarian, who is second in the WTCR Drivers’ Championship, is due to start Sunday’s races from 21st and 22nd respectively.