WTCC to reward qualifiers in 2012

The FIA wanted to put an end to the current WTCC qualifying system by rewarding the 5 best times in the second session with points. The 2012 calendar has also been revealed.

Published on 23/09/2011 à 10:30

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The FIA seems to have found the solution to avoid drivers having to manage their qualifications by aiming for an advantageous place on the starting grids of the two races of the weekend. The system currently in place forces certain competitors to slow down so as not to find themselves penalized for the second race.

A points system will reward the five best drivers in qualifying next year (from five to one point). The second qualifying session will be contested between the 12 best drivers compared to ten currently. The grid for race 2 will now be determined according to the reverse order of the first ten competitors in Q2.

Next season's calendar will include a trip to the United States (Infineon Raceway), an important event for Chevrolet which will have its national event. The year will start on March 11 with Monza and Valencia on April 1. The competitors will then travel to Donington (April 15) before heading to Germany on April 29 on a circuit which remains to be determined but which could be Oschersleben. Hungaroring (May 6) will be the next stop before Marrakech (May 20), Porto (June 10), Curitiba (July 22), Infineon (September 23), Suzuka (October 21). The trip to China will not take place at Guangdong but in Shanghai (November 4) before the Championship concludes in Macau (November 18).