Michelisz and Ma on pole in Malaysia, Muller out of top 10

Sur un tour lancé, rien ne l’arrête. Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai), not content with being the fastest in Qualification 1, Friday December 13 in Sepang (Malaysia) was also the fastest in the second qualifying session. 

Contested exceptionally at night, the session allowed the championship leader to increase his lead to 15 points over his direct pursuer, Esteban Guerrieri (Honda). The latter fought to achieve the second best performance. 

That's it for the first row of Race 3. Concerning Race 2, determined via the reverse grid principle, it is the Chinese Ma Qing Hua (Alfa Romeo) which does the right thing. The Giulietta TCR will indeed be on pole, ahead of Nestor Girolami (Honda).

Conversely, Yvan Muller (Lynk&Co) is brooding. The Alsatian, already late during the first qualification (16th) tried to improve his mark, but was eliminated in Q1. He will only start 13th in races 2 and 3 in Malaysia.

“We are 30 kg heavier than the second heaviest car, he said when he got out of the car. This is equivalent to losing six tenths of a lap. In these conditions, it is very difficult and it costs us dearly over the weekend. 

But no matter what, we will never give up. We'll see on Sunday. » Yvan Muller is now 21 points behind Norbert Michelisz. 

Furthermore, no Frenchman reached the top 12. Aurélien Panis (Cupra, second for Race 1) is 14th, while Yann Ehrlacher (Lynk&Co) signed the 18th fastest time, offering his uncle Yvan Muller his aspiration. Jean-Karl Vernay (Audi), after a collision with Frédéric Vervisch (Audi) is 20th. 

All three WTCR races will be held on Sunday at Sepang, between 8:15 a.m. and 13:45 p.m. French time. 

WTCR Sepang 2019 Results – Qualifying 2: