WTCC – Lopez takes a Citroën hat-trick

José Maria Lopez secured his eighth victory of the season by dominating the WTCC Main Race in Shanghai. Starting from pole, the three-time world champion retained the advantage and won 11 seconds ahead of his teammate Yvan Muller who consolidates his second place in the Championship with only 31 points ahead of Tiago Monteiro (Honda) eighth.

Mehdi Bennani gave Citroën a hat-trick. The Moroccan won the title among the Independents for the first time against his teammate Tom Chilton who only took ninth place.

The Lada Vestas of Nicky Catsburg and Gabriele Tarquini completed the top five ahead of the Volvo S60s of Swedes Fredrik Ekblom and Thed Björk. The first Honda Civic is only eighth.

Hugo Valente (Lada) finished 12th behind Tom Coronel (Chevrolet) and Norbert Michelisz (Honda). John Filippi (Chevrolet) only took 15th place after having to start from the back of the grid following the necessary repairs following the damage suffered during Race 1. Grégoire Demoustier (Citroën) finished in 17th place.

Race 1

Thed Björk gave Volvo its first WTCC victory with the S60 TC1 at the end of Race 1. The Swede scored his first victory in the World Touring Car Championship despite damaged suspension following an overtake on Norbert Michelisz in the last round. The Scandinavian made a superb comeback from sixth position and managed to win despite energetic defense from the Hungarian.

Yvan Muller completed the podium, finishing just half a second behind the winner. The Alsatian preceded his teammate José Maria Lopez who himself preceded the Lada Vestas of Nicky Catsburg and Hugo Valente. Tom Coronel took seventh place ahead of Fredrik Ekblom. The Hondas of Rob Huff and Tiago Monteiro completed the top ten.

Pole sitter John Filippi retired following contact with José Maria Lopez, breaking his left front wheel. His stop on the track prompted the intervention of the safety car. His compatriot Grégoire Demoustier took 13th place.

WTCC results in Shanghai

Discover the report from the WTCC in Shanghai in issue 2082 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.