The seventh season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship will kick off Sunday at Curitiba, Brazil.
Three of the twelve racetracks that form the calendar will host the championship for the first time: Donington Park (UK), Suzuka’s East Circuit (Japan) and Guangdong International Circuit (China).
The main change to the Sporting Regulations is the system to reverse the grid for the second race of each event that is no longer based on the results of the first race, but on the results of Saturday’s Q1 qualifying. The number of the reversed positions was also increased from eight to ten.
Another innovation is the 1.6-litre turbo Global Engine, the same used by the World Rally Championship. The new unit provides a significant increase of power compared to the 2.0-litre normally aspirated and turbo diesel engines.
However, more than power itself, its peculiarity will be reliability as competitors will be only allowed one engine change during the season.
To see the 2011 World Touring Car Championship entry list, please click here.”