Race preview: WTCR stars take to the streets for season kick-off

The hotly anticipated fifth WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup season kicks off at Circuit de Pau-Ville next week (May 7-8) when WTCR Clean Fuels For All Race of France launches the 2022 chase for on-track glory. Bringing FIA World Touring Car racing back to his iconic street track in southwest France has been more than 10 years in the making but its return comes at an exciting time for the WTCR with a driver line-up packed with race and title winners.

Ad/> Indeed, all but one of the star drivers signed up for the full upcoming campaign is a race winner in the series with the entry list of established racers and upcoming talents sharing 62 WTCR race wins and nine FIA World Touring Car titles between them. WTCRHometown hero Cayrolle all set for debut WTCR wildcard action5 HOURS AGO Furthermore, five brands, Audi, CUPRA, Honda, Hyundai and Lynk & Co, will be represented through their customer racing departments, while eight teams, all using Goodyear tyres and sustainable fuel from P1 Racing Fuels have signed up to pursue more FIA World Touring Car gold.

The WTCR is the pinnacle of customer touring car racing and sits at the top of the TCR category ladder. Evolving from the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the WTCR is administered by the FIA and promoted by Discovery Sports Events.

Two practice sessions, a three-stage qualifying including two elimination periods, plus two races are scheduled for Circuit de Pau-Ville with the main action broadcast live around the world. There’s a tweak to the race format for 2022 and more details are available below.

As well as coveted FIA world titles for drivers and teams, independent racers with no financial backing from a manufacturer are eligible for the WTCR Trophy. Meanwhile, a