Macau | Updated: Vernay best at FIA WTCR first race – Grand Prix

Macau (MNA) – Audi driver Jean-Karl Vernay finished first in the first Suncity Group Macau Guia Race – FIA WTCR race held this Saturday.

The French driver managed to win the first of the three WTCR races despite starting in 4th and got 27 points for his first position to add to his championship tally of 245 now.

“I am very happy. Happy for Audi, for the team. We’re in contention for the championship. It was our goal. But you can not be totally happy. There are still two races ahead. We have to stay focused to run a clean and smart race. It may be that we are celebrating tomorrow […] but there is still a long way to go,” Vernay said.

The first WTCR race was suspended for almost 10 minutes after an accident on the 5th lap at Moorish Hill.

“I got off to a good start, waiting for the safety car. […] I managed to stay in the front group before the Mandarin, Muller was inside, before the next turn, I tried to push him a bit, it would be very difficult to overtake him in the curve of Lisbon, I was second, and that was pretty good already. […] Without being at top speed, it would be possible to overtake and that is what happened, and from then on I tried to stay ahead without making mistakes,” he indicated.

The top 10 classified finishers score points as follows: 27-20-17-14-12-10-8-6-4-2.

Honda driver Yvan Muller finished 2nd with nine times winner, British driver Rob Huff, falling to 3rd despite having led all prior qualification sessions.

Macau driver Filipe Souza finished 18th, managing to recover 10 positions after starting in 28th.

Macau driver Andre Couto started in 26th and was 16th upon the race suspension but had to drop temporarily due to technical problems with his car upon the restart. He managed to return, and finished 21st.

Championship leader Gabriele Tarquini finished 4th and is still on top of the table with 305 points.

With the 20 points from his 2nd place, Mueller remains the closest and main challenger to to Tarquini with 272 points.

The second FIA WTCR race will take place on Sunday at 8:20 am.