Former F1 Driver to Chase Lap Records in Honda Civic Type R

Honda has hired 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button to chase European track records in the Civic Type R. 

The Japanese automaker is looking to set lap records for front-wheel drive production vehicles at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK, Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Estoril in Portugal, among yet-to-be-announced others.  The automaker completed a similar challenge in 2016, setting lap times at Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Estoril and the Hungaroring using the previous generation Civic Type R.

SEE ALSO: The Honda Civic Type R Makes for a Mean Looking Race Car

Button, who also races a Honda NSX in Japan’s Super GT series, will be joined by a full roster of other accomplished racing drivers in setting the records. Honda has yet to announce the full driver docket, but has so far named WTCR drivers Tiago Monteiro and Esteban Guerrier to the roster, along with NSX Super GT star Bertrand Baguette.

Honda says it will unveil its 2018 Time Attack Civic Type R at the Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off next week.

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