Vallelunga – Race 2: Magnus triumphs, Lynk & Co once again in the stands

As in Race 1, the 5 Lynk & Co drivers watched the success of Gilles Magnus from the pit lane. While the Chinese team had to occupy the first row, Yann Ehrlacher, Yvan Muller, Santiago Urrutia, Thed Björk and Quinqhua Ma only completed one formation lap before entering the boxes. This decision comes after the significant risks of punctures in Vallelunga. “ We have informed all WTCR stakeholders that the overall weight and tire situation is an impossible equation. This is not the decision we wanted to make, but no adequate solution to this problem has been found since the start of the Vallelunga weekend until today », Specifies Lynk & Co in a press release. 

Gilles Magnus and Mehdi Bennani therefore took advantage of the abandonment of Lynk & Co to take control in Italy. But as in Race 1, the Moroccan said goodbye to any hope of results after a puncture after ten minutes of racing. These are precisely the same drivers who experienced similar setbacks with Attila Tassi and Tiago Monteiro. Nathanaël Berthon then took advantage of Mehdi Bennani's passage in the stands to secure a place on the podium (2nd).

Mikel Azcona consolidates his leadership position in the championship. 

Behind the two Audis, a driver had a perfect weekend. After his podium in Race 1, Mikel Azcona once again fell between the drops to finish in 3rd position behind Gilles Magnus and Nathanael Berthon. In the standings, this result allows the Spaniard to consolidate his leadership position in the championship. He now has a 36-point lead over Nestor Girolami. But the big loser this weekend remains Yann Ehrlacher. By not taking part in either race, the defending champion probably said goodbye to the crown in Italy with 67 points behind Mikel Azcona. 

ALSO READ > Vallelunga – Race 1: Girolami winner of a race undermined by punctures