No action on López/Tarquini opening race incident in Russia

The stewards of the meeting have deemed no action is necessary in respect of the incident between Lada driver Gabriele Tarquini and Citroën’s José María López near the start of the openin race, meaning Tarquini’s first race victory in two years stands.

Tarquini made contact with the rear of López’s Citroën C-Elysée at the final corner, Turn 15, at the end of lap two, taking third place in the process. The Italian then went on to pass the next two Citroëns of Mehdi Bennani and Yvan Muller to score the first win for the Lada Vesta in its sophomore season, also leading Lada’s first 1-2 result, which was shortly followed by their second in race two, then led by team-mate Nicky Catsburg.

The stewards convened to review the contact between the two drivers and declared it a racing incident.

“I have nothing to lose because I am not playing for the championship,” said Tarquini. “I took a really good start and was able to fight with the guys in front. As soon as I reached the leading position I could manage my pace and the car was really amazing, the car today was uncatchable for everybody on this track.”