Björk on pole for the C1, 18 drivers in the same second

Thed Bjork (Hyundai) continues to dominate his subject in Ningbo (China). After the free practice sessions, the Swede took pole position ahead of Race 1 of the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), which will start on Saturday morning at 9h French time.

“I had to do it three times to succeed in my trick, specifies the outgoing WTCC champion. It's going to be an awesome race. I feel confident but the track is super technical. It's so easy to be too optimistic and make a mistake.", completes the Yvan Muller Racing driver.

Appreciable thing, no less than 18 drivers stand in the same second ! In this ultra-tight session, Frédéric Vervisch (Audi) signs his best performance of the season (+0″053). The Belgian will start from second place, ahead of Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai). A time which could have been improved without a faulty radiator.

“During my last attempt, the radiator broke, because we probably hit a curb awkwardly. Here, you are forced to ride on the curbs (to go fast), so I will still be more careful in the race”, recognizes the Comtoyou pilot.

The leader of the general classification Gabriele Tarquini (Hyundai) will start fourth. The Italian made a good operation compared to the average results of Yann Eherlacher (Honda, 12th) and Yvan muller (Hyundai, 13th). Nathanaël Berthon (Audi) set a convincing sixth time. Aurelien Panis (Audi) recorded the 14th time, ahead of a Jean Karl Vernay (Audi) falling from a height after his two successive victories in TCR Europe the previous weekend (15th).

John Filippi (Cupra) will have his work cut out for him starting from 20th place, just behind German debutant (but under Austrian license) Timo Scheider (Honda). Frank disappointment on the other hand on the side of the DG Sport Competition, because both Peugeot 308 Mat'o Homola and Aurélien Comte bring up the rear.

WTCR Qualifying 1 standings at Ningbo 2018: