N.Technology has confirmed that it will switch to the Honda Accord for the 2008 World Touring Car Championship season.
The team, which announced it would end its relationship with Alfa Romeo at the end of the 2007 campaign, will work alongside JAS Motorsport for the coming campaign, with the company – Honda's official partner for customer support - responsible for the design and building of the Honda Accord (similar to the 2006 model pictured) as well as its continued development throughout the year.
“This is a really exciting project for all concerned, JAS, N.Technology staff and James,” N.Technology founder Mauro Sipsz said. “I have always had a lot of respect for JAS as competitors and now look forward to working together on the WTCC programme.”
JAS managing director Alessandro Mariani was quick to welcome the new partnership, which will allow N.Technology to focus fully on running the programme while JAS deal with the development side of things.
"Finally we have the chance to be in the WTCC with a winning car and a winning driver," he said. "This programme represents a great opportunity for JAS and all its people to show how good our car is with a great driver such as James Thompson at the wheel and a team like N.Technology."
Briton James Thompson, third in the standings last season behind Andy Priaulx and Yvan Muller, will once again be at the wheel if the car as he aims to improve on his fine 2007 campaign.
A double win at Valencia was the highlight of the campaign as he remained in contention for the title all the way to the season finale in Macau and he said he was hopeful of building on that success with the new car.
"The 2007 season has been somewhat of a fairytale," he said. "We scored wins, podiums and enough points to ensure we remained title contenders until the very last race.
"I have always said how good the N.Technology staff are. The whole outfit works very well together; it feels like a family. I was offered other drives for next year but what I wanted most was to stay, which I am with a three year contract.
