To begin between the Portuguese and the Argentine stages of the world Turing was announced that the series of permanent leader Jose Maria Lopez has signed a contract with DS Virgin team and at the end of season 2016 will leave the WTCC, to join the ranks of the participants of Formula E.
After the news of the resignation of a series of factory team Citroen Racing — it was a serious blow to the WTCC — all waited for her fate pilots. But no one could have imagined that after the Argentine team will go out of the championship.
Barely a couple of weeks as the wheel of the Formula E team at Mahindra tests took another permanent member of WTCC Tiago Monteiro. Neither the Portuguese nor the team did not comment on the results of the tests, but we know that for the next season the team has a vacant seat — is vacant after the departure of Bruno Senna.
«Privateers» This was followed by news from the camp. Franz Fitz slёg to the hospital for surgery to remove the appendix and his place was prepared to take Mauricio Lambiris. However, Zengo Motorsport team did not have time in time to prepare his car and the Uruguayan was unable to take part in the race — what was very, very unhappy.
But the Argentinian Esteban Gereri secured a place in the Campos team, and went home to start the steps, where he immediately created a sensation almost — Argentinian showed the best time in qualifying!
However, it quickly became known that his decisive attempt he made after leaving the track under a red light. In the end, the result was annulled and it is possible to win the pole of his compatriot Jose Maria Lopez.
Second in qualifying was the Honda pilot Norbert Mihelits — he was the only representative of the Japanese team in the final part of qualifying.
The third speaker at Mark Chevrolet Touring Car veteran ring Tom Coronel, and the fourth — comrade Lopez on the factory team Citroen Racing Yvan Muller. Deprived pole position Esteban Gereri closed the top five.
No luck racers Lada — they have completed qualifications at 13, 14 and 15 places. The best of these was the South Valent, then — Nicky Katsburg and Gabriele Tarquini.
After qualifying, it was announced that due to the replacement of the engine holder of pole position Jose Maria Lopez will lose his starting position in the first race of the weekend. The starting grid for it is formed by reversing the principle, so the Argentine lost the tenth place.
At the start of the first race pole position winner of the John Filippi (Chevrolet) missed forward «private trader» Citroen Tom Chilton and Robert Huff Honda rider — just the two of them to the finish to stay ahead and finished the race in first and second positions respectively.
But behind a pair of leaders went no laughing battle, the main instigators in which the pilots were the factory Citroen team.
As a result, the top three on the podium added Yvan Muller, Tiago Monteiro was the fourth, and closed the top five Jose Maria Lopez — during the arrival Argentinian made his way from last place to fifth! Bravo!
Unlike pilots Citroen Lada drivers have not been able to show decent results — according to the results of the first race, they took only 13 and 14 seats, which finished Nicky Katsburg and Gabriele Tarquini. A South Valens and did come down.
The second race also began with the failure of the launch by the holder of pole position — Jose Maria Lopez missed Norbert Mihelitsa forward. However, unlike the first race of the Argentine restored the status quo, and regained the first place, and then brought the race to win.
Mihelits same later collided with Yvan Muller, then the two went off the road. They were able to come back, but far behind — Citroen Racing driver eventually finished only fifth, and the pilot Honda and all the eighth.
As a result, the second the result of the race Tom Coronel finished and closed the top three winners Robert Huff. It is interesting that both of them judges suspected false start. However, after the end of the race it was announced that no sanctions against them would be taken and the results were considered final.
Racers Lada and in the second race did not get into the top ten. Nicky Katsburg once again become the best of the representatives of the Russian team — he finished in 12 position. As in the first race Gabriele Tarquini lost his teammate one position, and ranked 13th. A South Valens once again did not get to finish.
The next stage of the World Championship WTCC will take place in Japan at Motegi track from 2 to 4 September — ahead of the participants a series of big break.
