Fights, comebacks and the French at the top: our 5 favorite moments from the WTCR

5. Pilot solidarity in Vila Real

Of course, there is nothing pleasant about witnessing a monstrous pileup. But the big one caused by the two representatives of Sébastien Loeb Racing, Mehdi Bennani and Rob Huff, gave rise to beautiful scenes of mutual aid in Vila Real (Portugal) in 2018.

https://youtu.be/0MQZryIghvo

“I would like to say a big thank you to Gabriele Tarquini”, said Huff, who escaped serious injury in the accident. “I was very panicked after the accident and couldn't get out of my car, and with the engine oil spilling, it started to catch fire. He quickly came and helped me out of the car and stayed with me in the few minutes before the medical teams arrived. 

“Thanks also to Yvan Muller, who also came to help me out, it just shows that even though we are rivals on the track, there is a strong camaraderie between us all.” Miraculously, no pilot was seriously injured in this accident. Yann Ehrlacher (Honda) even had to exit through the trunk of his Civic Type-R because the doors were blocked!

ALSO READ > The WTCR will disappear at the end of 2022 to make way for an international race

4. The exploits of the “little ones”

There is not only Hyundai or Lynk & Co to have occupied the top step of the podium. On a few (rare) occasions, stables with modest means shook the coconut tree. In 2018, the Belgians from DG Sport Compétition maximized the potential of the Peugeot 308 TCR. Despite an engine with a smaller displacement than its rivals, the Lion sedan achieved feats, notably by winning a race at Zandvoort with Aurélien Comte.

It’s a shame that Peugeot hasn’t invested a lot of resources in monitoring its 308 TCR… © Francois Flamand / DPPI

Developed without the help of the Italian manufacturer, theAlfa Romeo Giulietta TCR was more than valiant. In the hands of Kevin Ceccon, the Transalpine was content with a few highlights in 2018 and 2019. But the arrival of Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay in 2020 changed the situation for the small Romeo Ferraris structure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdbz9zqFpu0

The Lyonnais carried the hopes of the Italian clan with remarkable rage and racing intelligence. His second place in the championship saved his day. Indeed, without a contract during confinement following the withdrawal of Audi Sport and Team WRT from the WTCR, Jean-Karl Vernay got back into the swing of things with Romeo Ferraris. Hyundai Motorsport noticed his resilience by offering him a factory driver contract in 2021 and 2022, in WTCR and FIA ETCR, the Electric Touring Car World Cup.

3. The return of Tiago Monteiro

In 2017, Tiago Monteiro suffered a terrible accident during private testing on the Barcelona circuit. The Portuguese is injured in a shoulder, but is mainly the victim of an eye problem (diplopia) which will take a long time to resolve. Indeed, Honda's spearhead must wait 415 days before participating in a race, that of the WTCR at Suzuka in October 2018. All the drivers and members of the paddock organize a spontaneous guard of honor before the tests, a moment rich in emotions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjSt-9-b84M

The goosebumps are even more intense when former driver Jordan in Formula 1 climbs onto the roof of his Civic in Vila Real in 2019. He has just won Race 3 of the Portuguese meeting, in front of a crowd won over to his cause.

« Winning this race was the best you can hope for as a driver in a world championship, remembered Tiago Monteiro. VSIt's always great to win, but in your home country, in a place where you're so welcomed and there's so much passion for what you do, it's just incredible.

The joy of a father and his two children. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

This victory aroused more emotion than the previous ones, that's for sure, because of the accident as well as the difficulties and uncertainties of recovery. It was my first victory after the accident. Everyone was very happy that I won, and this victory had special meaning for me. »

2. The crazy finale in Malaysia

In 2019, life was good. Covid-19 did not exist, the WTCR was ending its seasons in Asia and the starting grid was very dense. For its first (and to date only) visit to Malaysia, the WTCR is imagining a unique format of three races on the same day, with a final event contested at night.

The high temperatures and extreme humidity of the Sepang circuit will have an impact on the organisms. The tension is extraordinary, between three challengers for the title representing the interests of three different manufacturers: Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai), Esteban Guerrieri (Honda) and Yvan Muller (Lynk & Co).

The violent storms typical of Malaysia caused quite a mess in Race 2. In a controversial maneuver, Nicky Catsburg (Hyundai, Michelisz's teammate) ruined Yvan Muller's title chances by forgetting the brake pedal.
For his part, Argentinian Esteban Guerrieri is doing like a boss, grabbing a few points from ''Norbi'' Michelisz in Races 1 and 2. Race 3 is undoubtedly the most exciting event in WTCR history , even the history of world tourism over the last 20 years.

On a wet but drying road, the thirty or so drivers use trajectories, each more daring than the last. The two favorites for the title start on the front row, but an ace of the Rallycross will join the fight (Johan Kristoffersson). In this round, almost not a turn takes place without an attack in the peloton. We're giving you the entire race, everything is so fabulous! Who will be champion? We’ll let you (re)discover it.

https://youtu.be/Zn-3k4cOXvk

1. The advent of Yann Ehrlacher

When the WTCC collapsed in 2017, Yann Ehrlacher was more renowned for his links with Yvan Muller (he was his uncle) rather than for his pedigree as a French tourism hopeful. Five years later, Yvan Muller is barely considered Yann Ehrlacher's uncle more than for his performances on the track!

The inter-generational shift has marked the history of the WTCR. Judge instead. In 2018, Yvan Muller narrowly missed the title against veteran Gabriele Tarquini, while Yann Ehrlacher had led the championship for a while before failing, a sign of a (relative) youth problem. Subsequently reunited at Lynk & Co, the eldest transferred his immense knowledge to his nephew.

The best proof of this transfer of power came in 2020, when the Ehrlacher-Muller family found themselves reunited on the same podium, three times. Yvan Muller no longer wants to win in his name, but to allow the young man with the blonde locks to find a place at the top of the category. Mission accomplished with not one, but two world titles in 2020 and 2021.

https://youtu.be/ApVZK2BWvRQ

“Winning is not my priority”, insisted Yvan Muller in 2020. My goal was to help Yann become champion and that's what he became. When I explained to François Ribeiro (WTCR promoter for Eurosport Events then Discovery Sports Events. Editor’s note), when Yann was 17, and he had to bet on himself for the future, I was right. »

In 2022, as the curtain falls on the WTCR, Yann Ehrlacher has become the worthy successor of his uncle as the French and international reference in Tourism.