Muller wins from Michelisz who is the new points leader
Yvan Muller claimed a lights-to-flag victory in WTCR Race 1 at Macau, beating Norbert Michelisz by four tenths. The Hungarian’s second place, joint with Esteban Guerrieri’s retirement, meant that he took the leadership in the standings with a margin of 18 points over the Argentine. Muller and his teammate Thed Björk – who was classified fifth today – are still lying third and fourth but their gaps went down to 36 and 47 points respectively.
The race will be remembered as one of the most boring over the two last seasons, with no overtaking manoeuvres for the top positions. The only changes were due to technical issues or team orders, like Andy Priaulx’s drop from third to sixth before the last turn for promoting Björk from sixth to fifth. Which also promoted Kevin Ceccon to a well deserved third place ahead of Rob Huff.
The only driver who delivered some thrilling moments was Frédéric Vervisch who had started from the 11th spot of the grid and managed to finish seventh; he won two positions in lap 2, when Benjamin Leuchter hit the barrier at the Lisbõa bend, involving Mikel Azcona and Jean-Karl Vernay, but then he was able to overtake Gabriele Tarquini and Yann Ehrlacher.
After starting from the last spot of the grid following an engine change, Guerrieri cruised at the back of the field and eventually retired with two laps to go.
Races 2 and 3 are scheduled to start Sunday at 08:45 and 11:25 local time (01:45 and 04:25 CET).
Race 1
1. Yvan Muller (Cyan Racing, Lynk&Co 03), 8 laps
2. Norbert Michelisz (BRC Squadra Corse, Hyundai i30 N), 0.405
3. Kevin Ceccon (Team Mulsanne, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce), 1.644
4. Rob Huff (Sébastien Loeb Racing, Volkswagen Golf GTI), 2.153
5. Thed Björk (Cyan Racing, Lynk&Co 03), 2.882
Championship points
1. Michelisz 306; 2. Guerrieri 288; 3. Muller 270
