Fast start to World TCR

With the opening round of Australia’s own TCR series just around the corner (May 17-19, Sydney Motorsport Park), the hugely successful international series got underway over the weekend with Audi straight into the points.

The 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup season kicked off in Marrakesh with the Audi RS3 LMS cars all performing strongly throughout the weekend. The TCR class has enjoyed tremendous popularity internationally in just a few short years because of the accessibility of the racing and the evenly matched vehicles. Competition is ferocious, which makes for a great spectacle and high-adrenalin competition for the drivers and teams.

“The performance level in the field of seven manufacturers is very balanced in 2019,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “That’s why the performances delivered by our drivers and teams are to be rated all the higher. Both teams have each clinched a trophy right on the first weekend. Congratulations.”

Indeed, five of the seven marques in the field achieved podium finishes across the weekend of the season opener clearly demonstrating just how close the competition really is. 

Audi Sport’s first podium went to Jean-Karl Vernay, who last year celebrated five podium finishes in the FIA WTCR. The Frenchman started the second race from third on the grid and drove a faultless race to finish runner up and clinch his first podium for 2019.

Another Audi driver, Frédéric Vervisch finished on podium in Morocco for the eighth time in his FIA WTCR career. The 32-year-old Belgian secured his first pole position in the second qualifying session – the fifth time an Audi RS 3 LMS has set the best time in qualifying in this racing series since 2018. In the final race of the weekend, Vervisch dropped back to third position after his pole start but ultimately crossed the finish line in second position just 0.68 seconds behind the winner.
Strong performances from fellow Audi Sport customer racing drivers, Gordon Shedden and new signing Niels Langeveld also point towards a successful season ahead for Audi in the 10 race series.
The second round of the FIA WTCR calendar will see the teams descend on the Hungaroring in Hungary in just three weeks’ time.