WTCR: Three different winners at Suzuka, Guerrieri is a new leader
The eighth round of the 2019 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup took place at Suzuka Circuit’s 2.243-km East Course, with Esteban Guerrieri (Münnich Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R), Norbert Michelisz (BRC Racing, Hyundai i30 N) and Johan Kristoffersson (Sebastien Loeb Racing, Volkswagen Golf GTI) taking victories in three races.
Esteban Guerrieri is leaving Japan as a new championship leader, having collected six points more (288:282) than Norbert Michelisz in 24 races, with two more rounds (Macau, Sepang) and six races on the calendar.
Esteban Guerrieri is celebrating victory in Race 1
In Saturday’s Race 1, the Argentinean Esteban Guerrieri claimed the points lead with a victory from the pole position. He shared a podium with Comtoyou Team Audi Sport’s Dutchman Niels Langeveld and KCMG Honda’s veteran from Portugal Tiago Monteiro.
Immediately after the start, Comtoyou Team Audi Sport’s Frederic Vervisch challenged Guerrieri for first place on the outside of Turns 1 and 2, which allowed teammate Langeveld up the inside to take the lead. But on lap two the Dutch driver made a mistake at the final turn, which allowed Guerrieri to take a lead he would not lose.
On lap 7, Vervisch stopped on track when debris got lodged between the front-left brake caliper and wheel, causing the Safety Car intervention. The racing action resumed on lap 10 with Guerrieri leading from Langeveld, ahead of Monteiro. The race ended under the Safety Car following a high-speed crash involving Andy Priaulx and Nicky Catsburg.
Behind the top three, Thed Björk finished fourth for Lynk &Co, ahead of SLR Volkswagen’s Johan Kristoffersson who held off Leopard Racing Team Audi Sport’s Jean-Karl Vernay for fifth. The previous championship leader Norbert Michelisz was just thirteenth.
Race 2 winner Norbert Michelisz also received TAG Heier Best Lap Trophy
Two races took place at Suzuka on Sunday. In the first 24-lap race, Norbert Michelisz started on the front of the reverse-grid and converted into his fourth win of the season, grabbing back the advantage in the points standings because Guerrieri finished just tenth. Michelisz shared a podium with Rob Huff (SLR, Volkswagen) and teammate Gabriele Targuini (BRC Racing, Hyundai).
Kevin Ceccon, Thed Björk, Tiago Monteiro, Johan Kristoffersson, Mikel Azcona, Jean-Karl Vernay and Esteban Guerrieri completed the top 10.
Johan Kristoffersson on the top podium spot after Race 3
In the third race of the weekend, Johan Kristoffersson started from pole and clinched his second victory of the season. Esteban Guerrieri finished second and reclaimed the championship lead because Norbert Michelisz was six positions behind him.
The third man on a podium was Thed Bjork (Cyan Racing, Lynk &Co 03). Provisionally, Kevin Ceccon finished third but he was demoted to sixth after he picked up a five-second penalty for a clash with Rob Huff.
The next WTCR event would be the Race of Macau on November 16-17.
Check the results of WTCR races at Suzuka Circuit
Photos: Florent Gooden, Frederic Le Floch/DPPI,
