Tarquini and Priaulx take advantage of pole

Urban circuits have the advantage of offering spectacular races, with cars often driving door to door. But this Sunday in Marrakech, the narrow circuit which hosted the WTCC grid did not help the show. During both races, multiple accidents prevented duels over several laps, offering a considerable advantage to the drivers starting from the front.

Race 1
At the third start of race 1, the weather was hot and so were the duels, on a street circuit leaving little room for error. On this type of circuit, everything is decided at the start, and Gabriele Tarquini (Seat) sets off perfectly to maintain the leadership at the end of the first chicane of the third lap.

He is closely followed by Rob Huff (Chevrolet) while, in the next corner, the Seats of Michel Nykjaer and Jordi Gené shoot straight and leave the top 10. On board two other Leon TDIs, Tiago Monteiro and Fredy Barth in take advantage of getting back behind Rob Huff. The latter, despite constant pressure from Monteiro and Barth, retained second place. At the forefront, Tarquini escapes.

In eighth place, Alain Menu (Seat) is attacked by Andy Priaulx (BMW), who snatches this important eighth place from him, synonymous with pole position during the second race due to the reverse grid principle for the first eight. The two cars touch, Priaulx's door opens before closing and the Briton maintains his advantage.

On the eighth lap, Ismail Sbai (Chevrolet) ended up in the wall and caused the safety car to come out. The last three laps take place under safety car conditions and the positions are therefore frozen. Tarquini finishes ahead of Huff, Monteiro, Barth, Coronel, Muller, Michelisz, Priaulx.

Race 2
The start is once again essential and Norbert Michelisz (Seat) misses a great opportunity to shine. In second position, the Hungarian stalled and represented a real chicanery for the competitors following him. Everyone touches each other, door to door, and three drivers make mistakes, Rob Huff (Chevrolet), Harry Vaulkhard (Chevrolet) and Sergio Hernandez (BMW).

The safety car enters the track so that the cars can be evacuated and the track cleaned, a neutralization that drags on. The restart is given on the seventh lap, the race counting thirteen. Andy Priaulx (BMW) sets off perfectly, taking Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) on his wheels, while the Seats of Tom Coronel and Tiago Monteiro struggle to keep up.

Barely a minute since the safety car was removed and a new accident occurs. Alain Menu (Chevrolet) passes Augusto Farfus (BMW) while climbing the curbs of a chicane but the Brazilian does not give up and stays at his level. Farfus, who did not want to slow down, lost grip, went off the line and catapulted the Chevrolet driver against the wall: the race ended for both men and the safety car reappeared.

The restart is given for a single and final lap. Yvan Muller tries to keep up with Andy Priaulx, trying to take advantage of the Briton's mistakes. But, in a few turns, the Frenchman failed to threaten the three-time World Champion. Andy Priaulx therefore won, giving BMW its first WTCC victory this season.

Second, Yvan Muller scores important points for the title race. In the general classification he is second, seven units behind Gabriele Tarquini, who scored the points for sixth place in the second race. Next meeting in Monza, in three weeks.