Tom Coronel chased Yvan Muller until the end of a red-flag-affected first World Touring Car Championship race in Russia as the Frenchman claimed his fourth win of the season.
Muller kept the lead from pole position at the start despite contact with Coronel as the cars turned into turn one. There was further contact down the order too as Charles Ng and Fredy Barth collided.
The safety car was brought out as the cars were recovered, but the red flag then had to be flown as a recovery vehicle had stopped on the run-off. It still couldn’t be moved during the stoppage, so the race was restarted with a permanent yellow flag at turn one, removing one of the main overtaking opportunities.
Coronel closed right on Muller’s tail at the end of the race but was forced to settle for second place. Norbert Michelisz jumped ahead of Rob Huff to claim third place at the original start of the race.
James Thompson held off the attention of both Gabriele Tarquini and Yokohama Trophy winner Michel Nykjaer in the closing stages to claim fifth place on home ground for the Lada team. Pepe Oriola, James Nash and Tom Chilton completed the top ten.
