Portimão – Race 2: Nico Mueller confirms his pole position, Sébastien Loeb 18th

The start of the second race of the weekend went well for Nico Mueller. The Swiss from Audi retained the lead of the race ahead of Mirko Bortolotti (Lamborghini) and Felipe Fraga (Ferrari). The first corner was the scene of a triple collision at the back of the peloton, notably involving Mikaël Grenier (Mercedes) and Nicki Thiim (Lamborghini), while Sébastien Loeb (Ferrari), stuck at the start, went from 27th to 21st place. His Brazilian teammate attacked Bortolotti and took second place. The pilot Red Bull s’engouffrait dans la voie des stands dès son ouverture. Une stratégie couverte dès le tour suivant par le leader, laissant la tête à Bortolotti. L’Italien pitait à son tour et Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche) héritait de la tête.

Like the day before, Sébastien Loeb delayed his stop and his offbeat strategy allowed him to appear for a time in second position in the event, behind David Schumacher (Mercedes), new leader after stopping at Vanthoor. Overtaken by Grenier, the nine-time world rally champion saw the virtual leader, Nico Mueller, as well as his teammate Felipe Fraga come upon him. The Frenchman finally pitted just under 17 minutes from time. The poleman regained his position after that of Grenier and the Swiss driver increased his advantage over Fraga to win without being disturbed. Vice-champion in 2020, Mueller won his first since Hockenheim that same year. He was ahead of Fraga and Bortolotti. Sébasien Loeb finished in 18th place. Twice third, Mirko Bortolotti leaves Portugal with the championship lead.

Find the rankings for Race 2 HERE

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