C1 – Muller secures in Macau ahead of championship leader Michelisz

On paper, not much happened during the first World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) race in Macau on Saturday 16 November. Pole sitter Yvan Muller (Lynk & Co) preserved his advantage throughout the eight laps, ahead of championship leader Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai), which was also placed second on the grid. 

The winner of @FIA_WTCR Ducks 1 at #Macao , @yvanmuller! #LynkCo #CyanRacing #WTCR pic.twitter.com/nUtgwytPnd

— Cyan Racing (@Cyan_Racing) November 16, 2019

It was in the wake of the leading duo that the overtaking took place. Yann Ehrlacher and Andy Priaulx (Lynk & Co), played the team race and let Thed Björk, Yvan Muller's teammate in Cyan Racing, pass. The Swede, fifth, falls behind the Frenchman in the general classification.

.@Bjorkbm has made his way past @YannEhrlacher and is up to P6. #LynkCo #CyanRacing #WTCR #Macao pic.twitter.com/p9tAo6r330

— Cyan Racing (@Cyan_Racing) November 16, 2019

These instructions did not prevent Norbert Michelisz to increase his accounting advance. The Hungarian takes advantage of Esteban Guerrieri's zero points (Honda, retirement after starting in last place) to have an 18-point lead over the Münnich Motorsport representative.

The podium of this race is completed by Kevin Ceccon (Alfa Romeo). Rob Huff (Volkswagen), record holder for victories in Tourism in Macau, finished fourth. Aurélien Panis (Cupra) finished in 12th place, while Jean-Karl Vernay (Audi, 21st) was involved in a collision with Mikel Azcona (Cupra) and Benjamin Leuchter (Volkswagen).

WTCR Macau 2019 Standings – Race 1:

General classification :