WTCC: Pechito Lopez wins race 1 at Motegi
Jose Maria Lopez is one step closer to defend WTCC championship title after winning race 1 at Motegi Twin Ring in Japan.
Pechito Lopez starter better that pole position holder Norbert Michelsz and overtook him just after the start, while Sebastien Loeb and Mehdi Bennani lost their positions and dropped out of top five.
Gabriele Tarquini moved up to third and Yvan Muller was fourth, so it was interesting battle between Citroens and Hondas. In a meantime, Nick Catsburg retired after spin and he was followed by both ROAL Motorsport cars. Tom Coronel slid out of track in lap three, and almost at the same spot Tom Chilton also went out in the next lap.
Yvan Muller probably suffered some problems with his Citroen as he easily lost fourth place in battle with Ma Qing Hua. Muller now was on the pressure from his teammate Sebastien Loeb, but defended well until the end.
So, it was another quiet race 1 as there wasn’t any overtaking in the last four laps. Lopez clinched first win in Japan and seventh in 2015 to extend lead in the championship. Michelisz finished second 3.081s behind, while Tarquini completed podium, finishing third with a gap of 4.314s.
Ma Qing Hua was fourth leaving Muller on fifth, while remaining points were scored by Sebastien Loeb, Mehdi Bennani, Rob Huff, Tiago Monteiro and Hugo Valente.
