WTCC Marrakech - Qualifying : Flash news

GRID PENALTY FOR STEFANO D’ASTE

Proteam Motorsport applied for an engine change on Stefano D’Aste’s BMW 320si
car.

The Stewards of the meeting authorized the change but imposed a 10-position grid
penalty to the Italian driver.

Therefore he will be demoted to last on the grid for tomorrow’s Race 1, losing his
14th qualifying position.

MOROCCO TEAM LOSE TWO CARS OUT OF THREE

The Maurer Motorsport team withdrew the Chevrolet Lacetti cars of Moroccan
drivers Youssaf El Marnissi and Larbi Tadlaoui. While the former took part in
yesterday’s testing and crashed, obtaining damage that was not possible to fix, the
latter did not drive at all due to personal problems.

Morocco Team’s surviving car of Ismaïl Sbaï qualified in 20th position.

MICHEL NYKJÆR RECOVERS AFTER SURGERY

Sunred Engineering’s Michel Nykjær is managing to drive his SEAT León racing car
in spite of the consequences of a recent surgical operation.

The Danish driver broke the Achilles tendon of his left foot while playing
badmington. After undergoing surgery he is currently forced to walk on crutches and
to wear a leg cast.

FÉLIX PORTEIRO OFFERS F1 RIDES

Félix Porteiro who was a WTCC regular in the three previous seasons re-appeared in
the paddock at Marrakech as the driver of the three-seater Formula One car used to
offer rides around the track to guests and fans.

“It is good fun, but this is also important to me because it gives me the opportunity
to meet the teams and try to find a deal to rejoin the championship as soon as
possible,” the Spanish driver said.