Citroën and Honda set sensational tie in Slovakia MAC3

Citroën Racing and Honda Racing clocked the same lap time during the MAC3 challenge at Slovakiaring after a thrilling and very close battle, ending up with both manufacturers getting 10 points.

Lada Sport were the first to get out on track, with works drivers Nicky Catsburg, Gabriele Tarquini and Hugo Valente at the wheel. The Dutchman stalled at the start, thus making the challenge with Citroën seen in France impossible. He subsequently stopped along the track with a puncture, meaning Lada scored no points in MAC 3.

It was then Citroën’s turn, with Mehdi Bennani taking part in the competition just like in France alongside factory drivers Yvan Muller and José María López. The start was smooth and the Argentinian led the trio with Muller and Bennani following. The two factory drivers opened a gap from the Moroccan and eventually set a time of 4:17.233, which was the reference for Honda Racing to beat.

The Japanese cars, driven by the three factory drivers, Norbert Michelisz, Rob Huff and Tiago Monteiro, had a smooth start, with the trio driving in the order. The white cars were much closer and started building a gap from the French cars. Towards the end of the first of the two laps, however, the gap started coming down, making the Slovakian MAC3 a real thriller.

The climax was at the end of the second lap, when the Japanese cars clocked the same lap time as the Citroëns. The two manufacturers therefore get 10 points each, with Lada scoring no points due to Catsburg’s puncture which forced him to stop on the track.