Guerrieri, Berthon share spoils in WTCR practices

TDT | Manama                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Esteban Guerrieri and Nathanael Berthon took turns topping the practice timesheets yesterday in the WTCR Race of Bahrain, part of the WTCR-FIA World Touring Car Cup supporting this weekend’s Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

Guerrieri led teammate Nestor Girolami, both from Argentina, to a one-two in the second Free Practice, while Berthon from France topped the timesheet in the first session, which marked the WTCR’s historic debut in the Kingdom and the region.

In the day’s second practice, the pair of ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport leaders were both competing in Honda Civic TCR cars. Guerrieri had a fastest lap of two minutes 10.935 seconds to claim first place late in the 30-minute session, while Girolami was 0.244 seconds slower.

Mikel Azcona of Spain competing with BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse was 0.262s back in his Hyundai Elantra N TCR. A total of 15 competitors took to the track in the WTCR’s second practice. In the 45-minute first session held earlier yesterday, Berthon had a fastest lap of 2:11.616 in his Audi RS3 LMS TCR challenger.

His Comtoyou Team Audi Sport teammate Mehdi Bennani from Morocco followed 0.300s behind, while Azcona was third overall amongst the 13 competitors 0.338s adrift. The WTCR field is back on track today at 12.40pm for Qualifying. Race One will then be held at 7.05pm later this evening, while Race Two will take place Saturday morning at 10am.