Yann Ehrlacher the top Honda driver in tough Marrakech opener

Honda newcomer Yann Ehrlacher became the top scoring driver of the Japanese manufacturer in the WTCR season opener in Marrakech.

The Münnich Motorsport driver claimed two fourth places and was involved in a close fight for third with Hyundai driver Yvan Muller in the final race.

”I finished fourth twice so of course I’m happy,” said Ehrlacher. ”Yesterday I wasn’t so happy with qualifying, but the team did a great job to get the car working better for me and I had the confidence to push harder and make Q3. Everything worked out very well from that point.”

Team-mate James Thompson’s best result was sixth in the second race and is 12th in the championship after the opening weekend.

“Two weeks ago I wasn’t even planning on racing this year, so to come away from my first weekend in a TCR Honda and have strong top-10 finishes is brilliant,” said Thompson.

”I’ve become more and more comfortable as the weekend has gone on, and that’s been reflected in my pace. I could see my way to the front in Race Two, but I was squeezed into the pit exit by Pepe Oriola and I chose to lift, rather than cause an accident, and that lost me some ground. I’m looking forward to Hungary.”

Esteban Guerrieri had a fighting weekend as well with sixth in the first race as his best result.

“Today really highlights just how competitive WTCR is going to be this year,” said Guerrieri. ”If I’d made Q2 then I could have been on the front row for Race Two, but instead I missed it by three hundredths and had a tough day. I’m pleased to finish in the points in Race Two from 12th on the grid and to make some nice overtaking moves on a circuit where it’s very difficult. My start in Race Three wasn’t so good, but then I got Filippi’d and that was that.”