Thailand, Race 1: López wins thrilling Thai opener, takes WTCC title
Yvan Muller was eliminated in a first-lap clash
By Franck Drui
1 November 2015 - 11:05
José María López has won the inaugural WTCC Race of Thailand to clinch his second FIA World Touring Car Championship in succession.
López led from the start and resisted race-long pressure from Citroën team-mate Sébastien Loeb to secure his ninth victory of 2015 with Ma Qing Hua and Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy winner Mehdi Bennani completing a Citroën top four.
Gabriele Tarquini charged through from P12 on the grid to take fifth in his factory Honda ahead of LADA pilot Rob Huff, who started on the back row of the grid.
In a dramatic contest at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, López’s title rival Yvan Muller was eliminated in a first-lap clash, which also involved several other cars and resulted in the safety car being deployed.
Thailand, Qual.: López edges closer to crown with sensational pole
Thailand, Race 2: Monteiro holds on for Thailand WTCC victory
WTCR
- The race of Marrakech is cancelled, replaced by Salzburg
- Malaysia, Race 3: Kristoffersson takes victory as Michelisz claims title
- Malaysia, Race 2: Guerrieri wins to set-up final-round title decider with Michelisz
- Malaysia, Race 1: Michelisz triumph to extend points lead
- New tracks plus weight rule tweak as WTCR revs up for next three seasons