Shanghai, Race 2 : Muller completes dream China WTCC weekend for Citroën

Yvan Muller has completed a dream weekend for Citroën in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for Citroën by winning the second ROSNEFT WTCC Race of China and put the French make’s second WTCC Manufacturers’ title success beyond doubt subject to confirmation of the final results.

Honda’s Gabriele Tarquini had led for eight laps but was unable to prevent Muller from snatching top spot on the following tour. But the Italian gained some consolation by fending a determined José María López for second place with the Honda taking the place by 0.025s. It means López heads the standings over Muller by 75 points with four races remaining.

Sébastien Loeb took fourth with Rob Huff the top LADA home in fifth followed by Tiago Monteiro and Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy winner Mehdi Bennani. Local hero Ma Qing Hua was eighth, Nicolas Lapierre ninth and John Filippi P10. Norbert Michelisz and Grégoire Demoustier completed the finishers.

Pole-sitter Hugo Valente lost the lead at the start before squeezing ahead of Tarquini when the Italian ran wide at the first turn. However, contact between the pair put Valente sideways and although he recovered, damage to his Chevrolet in a subsequent collision caused him to spin before he limped back to the pits to retire. Nicky Catsburg also failed to go the distance. Toms Chilton and Coronel were unable to start due to damage picked up in race one.