GT / Tourism

Race 1 – Vernay wins after a red flag

The Frenchman collected his fourth success of the season despite an interruption in the event after a pile-up initiated by his teammate Shedden. Muller takes six points from Tarquini for the championship.

Published on 17/11/2018 à 08:34

Bernard

0 View comments)

Race 1 – Vernay wins after a red flag

It's no surprise, the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) is a tough competition. But when you put around thirty madmen on a circuit as crazy as Macau, it never leaves you indifferent. Endless collisions, road blocked twice, a red flag mid-event, Race 1 on Saturday had a lot of crumpled metal in store!

The most notable accident was that of Gordon Shedden (Audi) at the Moorish Hill corner, exactly where the GT3s piled up in 2017. The Scotsman obstructed the lane, forcing the race management to stop the competitors.

 

 

The pilot who best knew how to avoid these adventures is Jean Karl Vernay (Audi). The Frenchman, author of the fourth fastest time on Friday, grabbed two places when the lights went out, then dropped Yvan Muller (Hyundai) in the third round. Although the four-time WTCC world champion's mount was more agile in the twisty section, the RS3 LMS's engine allowed Jean-Karl Vernay to gain a lead on the straight.

 

The surprise of the day is, in a way, the defeat of Rob huff (Volkswagen). Nine times winner in Tourism on the Guia route, the driver of Sébastien Loeb Racing had everything to turn its pole into success, but the Golf GTI suddenly seemed less frisky than the day before. He still finished third.

In the fight between Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini (Hyundai) in the championship, the advantage remains in favor of the Italian. Despite a seventh place on the grid, the leader of the general classification made a great start to turn Lisboa into fourth under braking. A rank that he will maintain until the finish.

Yvan Muller therefore only takes six points from his rival. The gap between the two sidekicks is 33 points, while the two successes in Race 2 and 3 will give 55 points together.. However, the title hopes for Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai), Esteban Guerrieri (Honda), Pepe Oriola (Cupra), Thed Björk (Hyundai) and Jean-Karl Vernay (Audi) are over.

If you want to follow the outcome of the WTCR season, get ready to wake up (or don't sleep) with Race 2 at 1:20 a.m. French time and Race 3 at 4 a.m.!

WTCR Macau 2018 Race 1 standings:

0 View comments)

Read also

Comments

*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!

0 Comment (s)

To write a comment