Magnus wins WTCR’s last race ever behind the safety car

After five years, the WTCR left the scene behind the safety car. Gilles Magnus won the very last race at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Viktor Davidovski finishing second and the new champion Mikel Azcona in third place.

Attila Tassi was on pole and led from Davidovski who was immediately passed by Esteban Guerrieri and Nicky Catsburg; Davidovski lost two more spots to Franco Girolami and Magnus in lap 1. At the beginning of lap 2, Guerrieri tried to pass Tassi for the lead into Turn 1 but outbraked himself and spun. Tassi rejected an assault from Catsburg who was put under pressure from Franco Girolami.

At the beginning of lap 3, Girolami took to the inside of Catsburg at T1, but hit Tassi who spun. Catsburg and Girolami were also involved, and all the three cars had to pit and retired. 

Magnus found himself in the lead ahead of Davidovski, Azcona and Norbert Michelisz. The leader built a gap, while Davidovski was chased by Azcona; further behind Rob Huff defended P5 from the attacks of Berthon and Tom Coronel. In lap 9, Azcona hit the back of Davidovski’s car, but the Macedonian was able to control and kept the position. 

The battle for second helped Magnus to stretch his leading margin, while Huff kept on closing the door every time Berthon tried to pass him. The French got ahead in lap 15 but running outside the track limits and so was ordered to give the position back. Two laps later, Berthon made another attempt, but as Huff shut the door again, he hit the CUPRA and stopped on the track with a broken front suspension. 

The safety car was deployed with five minutes left on the clock and circulated until the end. Magnus took his third victory of the year, while Davidovski claimed his first podium finish ahead of Azcona and Michelisz. With Berthon scoreless, eighth position was enough for Néstor Girolami to finish runner-up in the standings.

Jeddah – Race 2

1. Gilles Magnus (Comtoyou Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS), 22 laps

2. Viktor Davidovski (Comtoyou Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS), 0.464

3. Mikel Azcona (BRC Squadra Corse, Hyundai Elantra N), 0.932

Championship points

1. M. Azcona 337 pts; 2. N. Girolami 254; 3. N. Berthon 240 

Picture: FIA WTCR/DPPI