Hungaroring, Race 1: Lopez wins in Hungary

José María López has won the first MOL Group WTCC Race of Hungary, round five of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

Starting from third on the grid, the reigning world champion blasted into the lead on the charge to the first corner and maintained his advantage out front to the flag, beating Citroën team-mate Yvan Muller to top spot for his third win of 2015.

“My first win here in front of this crowd is very special,” said the Argentine. “I knew the start would be important. We did not have too much practice yesterday so it was something of a risk. I wanted to pass Hugo because I knew it was important for the championship but, to be honest, it was not the plan to pass Yvan like this. It was a very nice fight and as a four-time champion he’s the driver I try to copy.”

Hugo Valente, who started second to pole-sitter Muller, scored his second WTCC podium with a fine drive to third, having been unable to fend off the fast-starting López. The young Frenchman’s performance also earned him the Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy spoils for the first time this season.

Ma Qing Hua took fourth after he withstood intense pressure from Tiago Monteiro, who was the first of the revamped Honda Civic WTCC drivers home in fifth. Sébastien Loeb completed the top six having lost time when he was eased wide exiting the first corner.

Tom Chilton finished seventh, home hero Norbert Michelisz was eighth, Rob Huff took ninth for LADA with Tom Coronel completing the top 10 to land his first drivers’ points of 2015. Gabriele Tarquini’s charge from the back of the grid netted 11th place.

Race two is scheduled for 14h40 local time. Michelisz will start from pole under the reverse grid rule.