Vila Real, Race 1: López makes it six with Vila Real WTCC triumph
Loeb 2nd, Michelisz 3rd
José María López is a six-time winner in the FIA World Touring Car Championship after he converted pole position into a stylish victory in the first WTCC Race of Portugal in Vila Real.
Argentine López rocketed off the line and was never headed, beating Citroën team-mate Sébastien Loeb to extend his title advantage.
Norbert Michelisz benefited from Hugo Valente’s sluggish start to snatch third with fellow Honda drivers Gabriele Tarquini and home hero Tiago Montiero fourth and fifth respectively.
Ma Qing Hua, Yvan Muller, Jaap van Lagen, Nicky Catsburg and Rob Huff completed the top 10.
Valente pitted at the end of the first turn after an incident-filled first lap, while Néstor Girolami stopped with a suspected mechanical fault.
The second 13-lap race is due to begin at 17h15 local time.
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