Marrakech, MAC3: Citroën takes victory after Honda drama

Citroën claimed the honours in another dramatic Manufacturers Against the Clock contest at FIA WTCC Race of AFRIQUIA.

After LADA’s Gabriele Tarquini, Hugo Valente and Nicky Catsburg were first to set a time in the Tour de France-inspired team time trial competition, Honda was 1.9 seconds quicker going into the final sector of two laps around the revamped Circuit Moulay El Hassan.

However, after contact with one of the walls lining the Marrakech circuit, Norbert Michelisz suffered a puncture and fell to the back of the Honda pack behind Rob Huff and Tiago Monteiro, crossing the finish line two seconds down on LADA’s time. That would leave Honda finishing third, just after it had locked out the top three places in qualifying.

Citroën followed, with José María López dropping to the back of its queue behind Yvan Muller and Mehdi Bennani after suffering splitter damage in qualifying. Despite that, Citroën lapped 1.004s quicker than LADA to claim its third MAC3 win and a triumph on home ground for Bennani.

MAC3 is timed by the WTCC’s Official Timing Partner Tag Heuer and awards up to 10 points for the Manufacturers’ championship.