Mehdi Bennani

The World Touring Car Cup has arrived on the streets of Vila Real, and Nestor Girolami is the early pace-setter.

Nicky Catsburg’s brakes failed, leaving the race leader with nowhere to go but the barriers.

Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Mehdi Bennani is ready to take on the challenge of the 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) as it enjoys its opening weekend on his home ground.

Sébastien Loeb Racing had all of its drivers in action during the two WTCR test days in Spain, with Rob Huff, Benjamin Leuchter, Johan Kristoffersson and Mehdi Bennani testing the updated Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.

The Volkswagen-equipped team is back for a four-car assault on the WTCR championship this year.

ADAC TCR Germany regular Benjamin Leuchter has been confirmed as the fourth and final driver for Volkwagen’s assault on the 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR)

Reigning World Rallycross champion, Johan Kristoffersson, will join Volkswagen’s World Touring Car programme for the 2019 season, as Rob Huff and Mehdi Bennani are also retained.

Jean-Karl Vernay took a somewhat surprise race win in the opening WTCR race at Macau, while Gabriele Tarquini and Yvan Muller are now the only drivers left standing with a mathematical shot of being champion.

Despite the challenges of both Aurelien Comte and Nathanael Berthon, it was Mehdi Bennani who took victory in Race Two.

The Audi RS3 LMS TCR was the best overall package at Wuhan street circuit, as the World Touring Car Cup concluded its visit to China.

Yvan Muller took a maximum points score from Race Two as Gabriele Tarquini, Yann Ehrlacher and Jean-Karl Vernay fell by the wayside.

Thed Bjork claimed pole position in both qualifying rounds over the course of the WTCR event at Ningbo, raising his season tally to six.

Reigning world touring car champion, Thed Bjork, has clawed his way back into this year’s title fight with victory in the opening race at Ningbo.

Confirmation that Rob Huff and Mehdi Bennani have escaped serious injury means that all drivers involved should be fit to race in Slovakia.

Thed Bjork was the fastest driver on track in Sunday’s qualifying session for Race Three, while Gordon Shedden will benefit from the reversed grid rules in Race Two.