WTCC – Citroën takes the title in Shanghai

Race 1

Jose Maria Lopez took his eighth victory of the season in WTCC Race 1 in Shanghai (China) where he started from pole. Citroën Racing achieved a hat-trick with Yvan muller et Sébastien Loeb who beat the first Lada led by Nicky Catsburg. The rafter builder wins the Builder titles for the second consecutive year. Mehdi Bennani places another C-Elysée WTCC in the top five after taking advantage of the numerous contacts at the start.

The first corner of the race left several drivers in place. Tom Coronel (Chevrolet), Tom chilton (Chevrolet), John Filippi (Chevrolet), Rob huff (Lada) and Gabriele tarquini (Honda) were notably involved. The Italian received a five-place grid penalty for the next race following his contact with the 2012 world champion.

Norbert Michelisz (Honda) managed to find the opening on Nicolas lapierre (Lada) to take sixth place, while Tiago monteiro (Honda) won his duel with Hugo Valente (Chevrolet) which was condemned to a recovery race after stalling at the start like Ma Qinghua (Citroen). The national star retired with a mechanical problem while he had moved up to eighth place. The new recruit was ultimately disqualified.

Race 2

Yvan muller offered himself new success in Race 2 after a magnificent start where he took advantage of the abandonment of the pole sitter Hugo Valente victim of a puncture and the loss of Tom Coronel whose Cruze could not be repaired in time. The Alsatian took the advantage over Gabriele tarquini who fought a tough fight with the C-Elysée WTCC.

The Italian finally took second place, ahead of a few hundredths Jose Maria Lopez. Sébastien Loeb ahead Rob huff who completes the top five ahead Tiago monteiro (Honda) and Mehdi Bennani. Ma Qinghua took eighth place ahead Nicolas lapierre et John Filippi. Grégoire Demoustier (Chevrolet) finished 12th behind Norbert Michelisz.

Highlight videos from the WTCC meeting in Shanghai

Discover the report of the WTCC meeting in Shanghai produced by our special correspondent in issue 2031 of AUTOhebdo, available from Tuesday in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.