Kristoffersson fastest in the second Qualifying
Johan Kristoffersson claimed his maiden pole position in WTCR as he topped the second Qualifying at Suzuka. On a track that was finally drying after the rain had stopped, the Swede emerged as the fastest in Q3 benefiting from Andy Priaulx’s mistake at the last turn. After setting pole position for Race 1, Tiago Monteiro qualified second for Race 3, with Mikel Azcona third and Esteban Guerrieri fourth.
As far as the title fight is concerned, Guerrieri has been the only top contender who scored today and so cut six points off Norbert Michelisz’s lead, reducing his gap to nine points, while Yvan Muller remained in third position, 16 points behind the leader.
Priaulx set the fastest lap of 1:00.226 in Q1, while Guerrieri and Björk were two tenths slower in second and third positions. By the end of the 20-minute segment, Huff moved up into P12 demoting Leuchter to 13th, then Farfus spun off and so the session was red flagged and did not resume. The following drivers advanced to Q2: Priaulx, Guerrieri, Björk, Tarquini, Girolami, Monteiro, Kristoffersson, Ceccon, Michelisz, Tassi, Azcona and Huff.
In Q2, Priaulx set the pace again with a provisional fastest lap of 59.974 that he improved to 59.864. Monteiro was second fastest (1:00.005) ahead of Guerrieri in a car hastily repaired after he had hit the tyre barrier at the final turn. Kristoffersson and Azcona completed the top-five for Q3. Michelisz and Huff qualified tenth and ninth, booking the front row on the reversed grid for Race 2.
In Q3, Kristoffersson was the first to hit the track and completed a spotless lap of 59.627. Azcona and Guerrieri were not able to go under the 60-second mark, while Monteiro was only one tenth slower than Kristoffersson. The last to exit the pits, Priaulx looked set to confirm his supremacy after clocking the fastest times in sectors 1 and 2, but he went wide at the final turn and spoiled his lap.
Race 1 will start tomorrow at 15:05 local time (08:05 CET), while Races 2 and 3 will take place on Sunday.
Qualifying 2
1. 59.627 – Johan Kristoffersson (SLR, Volkswagen Golf GTI)
2. 59.780 – Tiago Monteiro (KCMG, Honda Civic FK7)
3. 1:00104 – Mikel Azcona (PWR Racing, CUPRA)
4. 1:00.192 – Esteban Guerrieri (Münnich Motorsport, Honda Civic FK7)
5. 1:01.023 – Andy Priaulx (Cyan Racing, Lynk&Co 03)
Championship points
1. Michelisz 246 pts; 2. Guerrieri 237; 3. Muller 230
