Macau WTCC: Honda aims to stay out of trouble, despite topping test

Tiago Monteiro displayed the potential of the new Civic WTCC by setting the fastest time in Thursday's half-hour test session at the street track, having picked up three top-10 finishes since the car's debut at Suzuka in October.

"The main target of Macau is to save the car," said Mariani, whose JAS squad runs the works Honda operation.

"We have already started to build a new chassis, but if we kill the car here it will be a big problem.

"Macau is a very crazy race. Sometimes I have come here with a lot of expectations of getting a good result and left with nothing, and other times it has been the reverse."

Mariani said the decision to enter the final three rounds of the 2012 series in preparation for next year's full assault had paid off so far.

"Suzuka was very difficult," said Mariani, "But we made a strong impact because it was the car's debut and a ceremony race for Honda.

"In Shanghai we raced on a longer, more significant circuit where we could understand other areas of the car and learn more of its potential.

"Any time we run, we learn. The basics of the car are very good, now we have to resolve some development ideas, and plan a lot of tests for next year."

Further personnel will be recruited after Macau as the team gears up to run a second car in 2013 for Gabriele Tarquini.

William de Braekeleer, motorsport manager at Honda Europe, told AUTOSPORT discussions about customer cars or a satellite team are progressing but have yet to be finalised.

Sportscar squad OAK Racing is understood to be the favourite to secure the two extra Civics.

Read Honda rival Rob Huff's views on the WTCC title showdown, plus what the F3 drivers are up to in our rolling Macau GP news blog.