Motorsports | Macanese racer to join WTCC in China and Japan
Filipe de Souza
Macau-born racer Filipe de Souza will return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in China and Japan this October with team RC Motorsport. Souza will race the WTCC at the Macau Grand Prix with the same team.
De Souza last raced in the WTCC in Macau in 2014, where he won the title of Champion in the Macau Touring Car Series two years in a row. He also performed well in the Touring Car Series (TCR) in Asia, TCR Asia and TCR China.
The racing driver made his WTCC debut in 2011 and was a regular at the end-of-season Asia races. He has yet to test a top-class TC1 World Touring Car, which was introduced in 2014 – but will finally have that opportunity when he joins RC Motorsport for the WTCC Race of China and WTCC Jvckenwood Race of Japan, held from October 13 to 15 and 27 to 29, respectively.
Souza’s first TC1experience will be at the brand-new Ningbo International Speedpark in China on October 14, during the Free Practice 1. The racer, however, seemed unfazed by that prospect.
“It’s going to be a bit tough for me since I have never driven at either track and the car will also be new, but I will try my best,” he said.
“Like all drivers, I want to fight for the highest position possible.”
Souza’s return to WTCC later this year increases the highly competitive entry in the process.
“In my racing career, I always like challenges and higher-level competition,” said the Macanese racer.
“This is my aim and I’ve always believed my path belongs to the WTCC and to be part of the WTCC family. I’m racing for my dreams and for my country,” he added.
WTCC promoter Francois Ribeiro, who is also Head of Eurosport Events, welcomed the confirmation of de Souza’s return to the championship.
“It’s great to have Filipe back in the WTCC and for RC Motorsport to have a third car on the grid. The 2017 WTCC season is very competitive so it will be a challenge for Filipe, but he has the right attitude to make the most out of this opportunity,” said Ribeiro.
