Yann Ehrlacher retains WTCR title in rainy Sochi

Rain has once again come to Sochi this year. The first race of the day was therefore contested on a completely wet track. The first moments were marked by the spectacular exit from the track and the retirement of Esteban Guerrieri (Honda), followed by an intervention by the Safety Car. As the damage could not be repaired before the second race of the day, the Argentinian ended his season on this false note.

Déchaîné sous la pluie, Mikel Azcona (CUPRA) se débarrassait successivement de Huff (CUPRA), Magnus (Audi), Vervisch (Audi) et Vernay (Hyundai). Sixième, Yann Ehrlacher (Lynk & Co) s’assurait de conserver son titre dès la première course. L’Espagnol a notamment profité d’une passe d’armes entre Frédéric Vervisch et Robb Huff pour se faufiler entre les deux duettistes et subtiliser la deuxième place avant de doubler le leader français par l’extérieur à l’entame du dernier tour. Son coéquipier n’a pas terminé la course des suites de dégâts à l’avant-gauche du fait de sa bataille avec le pilote belge. 

The celebration of Yann Ehrlacher (Photo Xavi Bonilla / DPPI)

Find the classification of race 1 HERE

A chaotic race 2

The conditions did not improve for the second round of the day. Definitely intractable, Azcona took the lead in race 2 from the start, surprising pole sitter Yvan Muller. As in the morning race, a Safety Car was deployed on the first lap, with Gilles Magnus being stopped on the track just a few meters after the start, even before the first turn. Santiago Urrutia also encountered problems in this chaotic start and was forced to retire, eliminating him from the fight for the championship podium. 

The Safety Car stood aside for the final ten laps of the season. Yvan Muller hit Azcona braking for the last corner even before the race restarted and the Alsatian also retired. The CUPRA was damaged and the Basque fell down the rankings, leaving Nestor Girolami in charge. Kirill Ladygin and Bence Boldisz also clashed in the peloton and the Safety Car was already making its return to the track. The race resumed without Azcona, who fought back against Yvan Muller when he got out of the car. 

Robb Huff took the lead after a tough battle with Girolami. The Briton flew to victory, taking advantage of Frédéric Vervisch's pressure on the Argentine driver. Another collision was to be noted further on with the abandonment of Gabriele Tarquini for his last race. The battle for the podium raged between several drivers. Frenchman Nathanaël Berthon (Audi) finally took the last step behind Huff and Vervisch.

Find the classification of race 2 HERE