Spaniard Azcona, 26, turned champion on the finish of the Q2 session when Munnich Motorsport’s Nestor Girolami, the one driver with a hope of beating him to the title, slumped to the 12th quickest time – lacking out on the factors on supply in qualifying in an effort to stay mathematically within the title hunt for Sunday’s two races.
The brand new champion and his BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse group celebrated over the radio, earlier than refocusing on the Q3 shootout. He set the third-best time of the 5 drivers, as Berthon knocked BRC Hyundai’s Norbert Michelisz off the highest spot because the final to run.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” stated a delighted Azcona. “I labored all my life for this, a really exhausting 4 final years right here in WTCR to win the championship. Mainly that is my life’s work beginning with my household, my mother and father. Now we’re world champions.”
Berthon was additionally overjoyed having at all times missed out on pole this season, regardless of his sturdy report of creating it by means of to the Q3 shootouts.
“Lastly, pole place on the final race,” stated the Frenchman. “It’s higher than ever, eh? I’m very glad. We now have labored so exhausting to have this. We nonetheless have a job to do tomorrow and get some factors.”
Nathanaël Berthon, Comtoyou DHL Staff Audi Sport, Audi RS three LMS
Photograph by: WTCR
On a shortened 2.1-mile structure of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix circuit, the Hyundai and Audi drivers used tows from their team-mates by means of Q1 and Q2. However Girolami in his Honda at all times lacked the tempo he required to maintain his title hopes alive forward of the 2 races on Sunday. He solely progressed to Q2 with the 10th greatest time in Q1 after which was slowest of all in Q2.
Michelisz will be part of Berthon on the entrance row for race one on Sunday, with Azcona and Audi’s Tom Coronel on row two. Gilles Magnus was the slowest within the shootout and can line up fifth, with Franco Girolami – brother of Nestor – sixth in his Audi.
Attila Tassi certified 10th in his Engstler Honda, which suggests the Hungarian will begin the partially reversed-grid race two from pole place.
WTCR Saudi Arabia – Qualifying Outcomes
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Q2
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