Nestor Girolami dominates eventful qualifying

The Argentinian from Honda is the first WTCR pole-sitter of the season. The qualifying session was very eventful, having even been interrupted for more than an hour following the big exit of Thed Björk (Lynk & Co). Yann Ehrlacher, the outgoing champion was eliminated in Q2, he will start in 6th position in the main race.

Published on 07/05/2022 à 20:23

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Nestor Girolami dominates eventful qualifying

It is a 100% Honda and 100% Argentinian front row which will set off on Sunday in the streets of Pau. Nestor Girolami surprised everyone by stealing the best time from under his friend Esteban Guerrieri's nose. The South American signs his fourth pole position in the discipline. In third place in this qualification, we find the indestructible Yvan Muller (Lynk & Co) not necessarily satisfied with his pace since the start of the day, the Alsatian is fully satisfied with this place given the difficulties of overtaking on a track urban. Fourth in this session, Nathanaël Berthon (Audi Sport) who seemed on the verge of despair at the end of the free practice sessions. The Audi driver knew he had the potential to improve his times, this place in Q3 should give him confidence. Ma Qin Hua is also the nice surprise of this last part of qualifying, the TCR China 2021 champion will bravely defend his chances in the two Sunday races.

Momentumed qualification for the outgoing champion

Complicated qualification for outgoing champion Yann Erhlacher ©DPPI

The first qualifying session of the season is not without incidents and twists and turns. Thed Björk is one of the main victims. The Swede left the track violently after making a trajectory error at the last chicane of the circuit. The Nordic Lynk & Co 03 was then in a very delicate position, it was a miracle that his teammates Santiago Urrutia and Ma Qin Hua managed not to hit him head-on.

https://twitter.com/FIA_WTCR/status/1522976331264315392

l’Uruguayen qui fut l’animateur des séances d’essais libres n’est pas parvenu à se qualifier pour la dernière partie de la session. Il s’élancera en 7e position de la course principale juste derrière Yann Ehrlacher qui a connu une séance très agitée. Le double vainqueur de la Coupe du Monde (2020 et 2021) est en effet parti à la faute en Q1 au niveau de la statue Foch. Sa Lynk & Co 03 est allée se fracasser dans le mur de pneus occasionnant à son pilote une décélération supérieure à 10 G ! Fait incroyable, l’Alsacien est parvenu à terminer la séance de qualification. Mais dans les derniers instants de Q2, Nathanaël Berthon l’éjecte de la Q3. Particulièrement frustré et mécontent, le Français devra cravacher demain pour essayer de marquer un maximum de points. Hyundai a aussi connu une qualification compliquée. Ni Azcona (8e de la session) et Michelisz ne sont parvenus à passer en Q3. Le Hongrois pourra se consoler d’avoir signé la pole de la course 2 grâce à sa 10e place en Q2. Eric Cayrolle (Comtoyou Team Audi Sport) invité pour sa course à domicile s’élancera de la dernière place dans les deux courses.

The two WTCR races can be followed tomorrow at 13:10 p.m. for the first round, the second race will be contested late in the afternoon at 17:10 p.m.