Double podium in Japan brings Polestar Cyan Racing double World Championship lead

Polestar Cyan Racing has claimed a double World Championship lead after two podium finishes in the WTCC Race of Japan, with Thed Björk extending his lead to 16,5 points over main title rival and Honda driver Norbert Michelisz.

Just as in the previous race in China, rain was pouring down in both races where Thed Björk fought hard with his rivals to claim two solid top five finishes, bringing vital points to the title fight. Adding to the drama was a typhoon that passed Japan, forcing the organisers to move qualifying and both races to Sunday.

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Victory for Yvan Muller as José María López claims title

Yvan Muller and José María López finished first and second in the main race at Motegi (Japan) to claim the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC’s fifth one-two of the season. This means the Argentinian is provisional world champion for the third year running, whilst Citroën took another step closer to a sixteenth World Championship title.

Citroën and José María López go in search of more World titles

The FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) returns to action in Japan at the Twin Ring Motegi race track. For José María López and Yvan Muller, the aim will be – as ever– to win for the Citroën Total team. A successful weekend in the land of the rising sun could also enable Citroën and Pechito López to secure world titles for the third year running.   pic

After starting the season in Europe and then making the long trip to Argentina in early August, the FIA WTCC now embarks on a three-stop tour of Asia, beginning in Japan. Round nine will be held this weekend at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, 150km to the north of Tokyo.

A championship venue for the first time in 2015, the 4.801km track has relatively low average and maximum speeds. The many acceleration and braking zones tend to be especially demanding on the brakes, but they also provide plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Seventh win for Pechito López

José María López secured his seventh race win of the season at Motegi, extending his lead at the top of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The Japanese meeting narrowed the field of possible title contenders, with the Citroën Total drivers José María López, Yvan Muller and Sébastien Loeb now the only drivers still in the running. The Citroën team’s points haul from this weekend means it can wrap up the manufacturers’ title at the next round in Shanghai on 25-27 September.

WTCC returns with a trip to Japan

After a two-month hiatus, the FIA WTCC is back, kicking off its tour of Asia and the Middle-East with a visit to Japan. The World Championship will make its first appearance at the Motegi circuit, 150km north of Tokyo. With 14 victories between them in the 16 races contested so far, the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC drivers hold the top four spots in the overall standings, with José María López leading from Yvan Muller, Sébastien Loeb and Ma Qing Hua. If they can carry on in a similar vein after the summer recess, Citroën will move a little closer to a second world title.