WTCC – Michelisz beats Citroëns in Motegi qualifying

Citroën missed pole for the first time this season. On Honda grounds in Motegi (Japan), private driver Zengo Motorsport Norbert Michelisz snatched first position on the grid for Race 1 with a time of 1'55"596 in the last session.

The Hungarian was 8 hundredths ahead of the Championship leader's Citroën José-Maria Lopez which completes the first line. The C-Elysée will still be at the forefront since Sébastien Loeb and the private pilot Mehdi Bennani will start in 2nd line in front of Ma Qing Hua.

The result is more disappointing for the official Honda team since Gabriele tarquini took only 6th place, while Tiago monteiro is 8th. Yvan muller (Citroën) will launch between the two Civics.

For his WTCC debut, Nicolas lapierre took 12th place in his Lada, just behind the Chevrolet of Hugo Valente. Grégoire Demoustier (Chevrolet) is 14th in front Tom Coronel (Chevrolet) and John Filippi (Chevrolet).

The WTCC races at Motegi will be followed live on Sunday September 13 from 7 a.m. on Eurosport.