Photo: WTCC Media

Tough race ahead for Yokohama points leader

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Kristian Poulsen will start 15th in both races after crashing out in the final moments of the first qualifying session, and his small points lead in the independents’ trophy is under threat.

The Liqui-Moly Team Engstler driver leads the Yokohama Independents’ Trophy by just four points from Javier Villa, with Norbert Michelisz 14 points behind.

Michelisz is the top placed independent on the grid for Round 11 in eighth place, and is set to start seventh overall and the third highest placed indie on the provisional grid for Round 12 later in the day.

All of the non-independents’ eligible drivers line-up in the first seven spots on the grid for Round 11, which unusually sees the top independent driver starting down in eighth.

Stefano D’Aste has effectively drawn the top spot on the grid for Round 12, but as this is his first race of the season he has no points and isn’t challenging for the independents’ title.

D’Aste’s team Wiechers-Sport are yet to score any points this year and will be hoping D’Aste collects a few points from today’s races.

Bamboo Engineering’s Darryl O’Young also missed out on the top ten shootout and will start 12th for both races. The Hong Kong driver will be keen to keep Poulsen’s BMW behind him so he can close up in the trophy standings.