FIA WTCR @ Sakhir - The title is within reach for Mikel Azcona 16.11.2022: Hyundai BRC Squadra Corse teammates Mikel Azcona and Norbert Michelisz dominated the WTCR races at Bahrain International Circuit. The Spaniard won Race 1 and finished fourth in the second, stretching his lead in the standings to 60 points over Néstor Giro

Hyundai BRC Squadra Corse teammates Mikel Azcona and Norbert Michelisz dominated the WTCR races at Bahrain International Circuit. The Spaniard won Race 1 and finished fourth in the second, stretching his lead in the standings to 60 points over Néstor Girolami, when 65 points remain for grasp in the season finale at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on November 25/27.



Race 1 - In the floodlight, Azcona made good use of the pole and led, while Nathanaël Berthon, second on the grid, made a slow start and dropped behind Michelisz, Néstor Girolami, Attila Tassi and Nicky Catsburg. Catsburg was sent into a spin by Franco Girolami and collected Gilles Magnus who retired.



In lap 2, Berthon passed Tassi for P4; the latter lost another place to Mehdi Bennani and then was hit by Tom Coronel, dropping further. Berthon overtook Girolami for P3, while Coronel moved up into fourth ahead of Bennani and Girolami. Azcona and Michelisz finished 1-2, with Berthon third ahead of Coronel, who was dropped to sixth by a five-second penalty for the collision with Tassi.



Race 2 - Esteban Guerrieri had the best start from P3 and led from the poleman Bennani. The Audi cars of Magnus, Franco Girolami and Bennani came together; Magnus retired and Girolami spun off. Up front, Guerrieri was chased by Michelisz and Catsburg, while Berthon passed Néstor Girolami for P4.



In a duel that was crucial for the title fight, Azcona overtook Girolami for P5. In lap 5, Michelisz stole the lead from Guerrieri, while Girolami lost more places to Coronel and his brother Franco.



Michelisz took his first win of the season, beating Guerrieri and Catsburg. Berthon kept Azcona behind to finish fourth but was dropped one place by a five-second penalty for track limits.

Sakhir – Race 1
1. M. Azcona (BRC, Hyundai Elantra N), 15 laps
2. N. Michelisz (BRC, Hyundai Elantra N), 1.955
3. N. Berthon (Comtoyou Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS), 3.443



Sakhir – Race 2
1. N. Michelisz (BRC, Hyundai Elantra N), 13 laps
2. E. Guerrieri (Münnich Motorsport, Honda Civic), 1.046
3. N. Catsburg (BRC, Hyundai Elantra N), 3.677



Championship points
1. M. Azcona 297 pts; 2. N. Girolami 237; 3. N. Berthon 200



Fabio Ravaioli, photo FIA WTCR/DPPI