WTCC: Lopez wins exciting race 2 in France

Jose Maria Lopez won the second WTCC race at Paul Ricard circuit. It was much more interesting race than the first one and one of the most exciting races this season, really one to enjoy as there was so much happenenigs.

Race two has started without Rob Huff who had to stay in garage after problems with his Lada Vesta and former champion missed really thrilling race.

Mehdi Bennani was on pole, but obviously started earlier and had to serve drive-through penalty. “Pechito” Lopez quickly jumped from seventh to fourth and was followed by Ma Qing Hua and Sebastien Loeb as they also progressed very fast, but the first race winner had to retire after he crashed his Citroen C-Elysee at turn 4.

Yvan Muller also was very fast and moved up from lap to lap. Battle was so intensive as Lopez had a contact with Tiago Monteiro in eighth lap after which Honda driver had to go to the pit and to retire. Norbert Michelisz was on top with six laps to go with an advantage of second in front of Ma and Lopez who fought as a hungry lions.

Reigning champion finally overtake Chinese driver in lap 12, but gap between three Citroen drivers was very small. With one lap to go, Lopez managed to overtake Michelisz and secure first place to strengthen his championship lead.

Michelisz finished second in front of Ma Qing Hua, leaving Muller on fourth and Gabriele Tarquini on fifth place. Hugo Valente finished sixth after close battle with Tom Coronel and Tom Chilton. Ninth place won Mehdi Bennani and Rickard Rydell finished tenth to mark his return to WTCC after short break.

Check the full results of WTCC weekend at Paul Ricard circuit at SnapLap results page!