Remembering when… WTCR stars were super at Suzuka

With the FIA Formula One World Championship back at Suzuka this weekend for the first time since 2019, here are five memorable WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup moments at the Japanese Grand Prix venue. 5: Kristoffersson’s “love tap” wins it for Sébastien Loeb RacingAfter winning Race 3 at WTCR Race of Japan in 2019, Johan Kristofferson was asked about his pass on Honda-powered Tiago Monteiro for the lead. The incident happened at Turn 2 after the Portuguese had beaten the pole-sitting Swede off the line.

“The takeaway at the start was not the best and Tiago was able to pass, but I managed to undercut him at Turn 2 a good rallycross move,” said Kristoffersson, who’d switched to WTCR for the 2019 season as a double FIA World Rallycross champion. “There was some contact. I touched him in the door, but it was a little love tap.” Ad 4: Tarquini sets up WTCR title showdown in front of 42,500 fansGabriele Tarquini set up a WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup title showdown to remember with a fifth win of the 2018 season in Race 3 at WTCR Race of Japan.

The Hyundai-powered BRC Racing Team driver inherited first place when on-the-road winner Kevin Ceccon (see entry number 2) was penalised five seconds for not having all four wheels of his car within his pole position starting box. Tarquini left Japan leading Yvan Muller by 39 points, the two touring car legends among seven drivers in title contention at the Macau finale the following month. “I made a fantastic start in Race 2 and even better in Race 3, and this was the key to my success,” Tarquini said.