Mulsanne Racing will run the 2017-spec Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR in the opening round of the TCR Middle East series next week at the Dubai Autodrome.

A number of improvements have been made to the Italian car by the Romeo Ferraris engineering as are explained by team manager Claudio Bortoletto: “There were many things that were possible to develop, in the chassis, suspension, electronics and so on. We tested the updated car at Vallelunga before Christmas and were very happy with the lap times. Now we need to replace the 1.7-litre engine with the new 2-litre from the Giulia, and we expect to do it by March.”

Mulsanne Racing regular Michela Cerruti will drive in Dubai; this will be her comeback to racing after she was sidelined six months on medical grounds.