Nordschleife, Race 1: López makes history with opening Germany win

José María López has become the first driver since Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass in 1983 to win a world championship race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife after claiming victory in the opening WTCC Race of Germany.

López blasted into the lead at the start and remained out in front following an impressive display as fellow front-row starter Hugo Valente hit trouble, eventually crashing out on lap two.

Sébastien Loeb kept up his chase of López in the battle for WTCC title glory with second place at the legendary Eifel mountain venue. Four-time champion Yvan Muller made it an all-Citroën podium as Norbert Michelisz took fourth for Honda.

“I felt very good, the car was great and thanks to Citroën for the opportunity to be this competitive,” said López, who has won the opening race of each WTCC weekend this season. “I have been able to feel very confident and I really enjoyed the race. It was like driving in a tunnel through the hills. This circuit is amazing and this victory is something I really wanted. For the next race I want to be on the podium but I have to arrive at the end and think about the points for the championship.”

Ma Qing Hua beat Gabriele Tarquini for fifth on the final lap and there was frustration for Tarquini’s Honda team-mate Tiago Monteiro, who retired with a front-left puncture on lap two.

Mehdi Bennani finished seventh, Stefano D’Aste took eighth, Tom Chilton ninth and Sabine Schmitz claiming the final world championship point on her WTCC debut in 10th. The German becomes the first female to score a WTCC point after she resisted intense pressure from LADA driver Jaap van Lagen. John Filippi finished 12th with Grégoire Demoustier 13th.

Race two is due to begin at 12h15 local time with Monteiro starting the reverse-grid event from pole position and López 10th. The event has been declared a wet race with light rain now falling in places.