FIA WTCC Race of Russia closes gap at the Top
09 Jun 2015

Intense Motorsport activity with YOKOHAMA and the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The Moscow raceway was witness to some memorable Motorsport racing over the past weekend. A true feast for the competition’s manufacturer teams which resulted in every one of them leaving Russia with a smile. Citroen managed a victory on the first race via Yvan Muller. Honda managed its first triumph too through Tiago Monteiro and Lada, with their new Vesta, also celebrated fantastic results from former World Champion Rob Huff who managed a fourth and an admirable second place on race 2.

The first race was held under the shining sun and the ever watchful eye of FIA President Jean Todt, who had earlier wished drivers well at the starting grid.

Citroen’s Yvan Muller on pole position worked hard throughout the race. The task which he managed seemingly comfortably was to keep José Maria “Pechito” López within some distance from his bumper. At the end of the race Muller, who celebrated his third victory in 2015, explained that although in control it seemed like “a very long race” especially towards the end.  Honda’s veteran driver Gabrielle Tarquini was also in contention and also put pressure on the current Argentinian World Champion López, to eventually cross the chequered flag in third place, followed by “Huffy” in fourth.  

Honda had the power in Russia and Tiago Monteiro won race 2. This will certainly give Honda all the hope and satisfaction for further progress in the Championship. To date, Citroen had been too strong for everyone else and Honda had been playing catch up. An ecstatic Monteiro embraced in delight with his team after he managed a lights to flag on the second race. 

Useful points for the YOKOHAMA Drivers’ Trophy honours were also gained by “Norby” Michelisz and Tom Chilton.

In the overall classification, “Pechito” López leads the World Championship by 35 points from Yvan Muller and 64 points from Sebastien Loeb in third.

The Championship travels to Slovakia with racing on the 21^st June 2015.