Michelisz wins pole for Race 1 and scores crucial points
Current WTCR points leader Norbert Michelisz reinforced his position on top of the standings as he claimed pole position for Sunday’s Race 1 at Sepang International Circuit.
With his rivals in the title fight relegated in 10th (Esteban Guerrieri), 16th (Yvan Muller) and 28th (Thed Björk) positions, the Hungarian moved five points closer to the champion’s crown. His leading margin increased to 14 points ahead of Guerrieri and 16 over Muller, while Björk is now 33 points behind.
Mikel Azcona looked Michelisz’s most serious contender for the pole; after setting the fastest lap in the second practice, the 2018 TCR Europe champion set a provisional fastest lap of 2:14.447 that was beaten by Michelisz’s 2:14.100. The young Spaniard improved his time to 2:14.197 but remained in second position, then he had his last attempt spoiled when hit traffic coming out of the pits in the last turn.
Eventually Michelisz improved further to 2:13.738, while Aurélien Panis and Néstor Girolami moved up to second and third ahead of Azcona.
Guerrieri had to abort a fast lap when Rob Huff hit the tyre-stack in Turn 15, causing a full course yellow, and so couldn’t qualify better than 10th, while the quartet of Lynk&Co cars struggled the whole day to set competitive times and Muller was the fastest of them in 16th place.
After the session the Stewards imposed a grid penalty to Nicky Catsburg for not slowing down during the full-course-yellow period, meaning that he will be dropped from seventh to 12th on the grid for Race 1.
WTCR action will continue this evening with the Qualifying session for Races 2 and 3 at 19:30 local time (12:30 CET).
Qualifying 1
1. 2:13.738 – Norbert Michelisz (BRC Squadra Corse, Hyundai i30 N)
2. 2:14.128 – Aurélien Panis (Comtoyou Racing, CUPRA)
3. 2:14.167 – Néstor Girolami (Münnich Motorsport, Honda Civic FK7)
4. 2:14.197 – Mikel Azcona (PWR Racing, CUPRA)
5. 2:14.236 – Frédéric Vervisch (Comtoyou Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS)
Championship points
1. Michelisz 321 pts; 2. Guerrieri 307; 3. Muller 305
