TCR announces Malaysian GP support race

The championship, known initially as the TC3 International Series, is launching in 2015 and aims to have support races during several grands prix.

Motorsport.com understands that another two F1 support races could be on the calendar this year.

"All the work and effort we have put in over the last few months are now getting ever closer to becoming reality with this inaugural event," said series boss Marcello Lotti.

"I am personally grateful to Bernie Ecclestone for trusting our project and I am sure that this will hugely boost the motivation of all our teams and drivers, pushing them to properly entertain the spectators as they wait for the Formula One race."

TCR will have two practice sessions on the Friday of the grand prix weekend and a two-part qualifying session on Saturday.

That will be followed by a race just before Formula One qualifying and another before the grand prix on Sunday. The distance will be nine laps or 20 minutes for both races.

Morbidelli tests TCR Honda

Former Formula One and WTCC racer Gianni Morbidelli completed two days of testing with a Honda Civic TCR.

Morbidelli, who last year competed in the WTCC, spent two days testing the JAS-built Civic at the Barcelona circuit.

The cars will be run by West Coast Racing in the series.

"We are delighted that Gianni accepted our invitation to test the car, as we believe that he will be able to offer an invaluable contribution in setting up the car thanks to his vast experience in Touring Car racing," said WSR boss James Rogers. 

"We are also very grateful to JAS for the effort they have put into building three cars in such a short time, so that they will be ready to be sent to Malaysia for the inaugural event."