Yvan Muller sent to the back of the grid for change of engine

Yvan Muller will be forced to start from the back of the grid for the first race of the 2019 World Touring Car Cup in Morocco, after his Cyan Racing team had to change his engine following damage sustained during qualifying.

Muller had set the second fastest time during the 40-minute session, which he set early on in his Lynk & Co 03 TCR, but the Frenchman missed the last half of the session after he damaged the engine after running over the kerbs at the exit of the first chicane immediately after setting his best lap.

Despite still going on to be the best-placed Lynk & Co driver in the session, the four-time world champion will be forced to start from 26th and last for this afternoon’s 18-lap race at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan.

Muller’s demotion promotes team-mate Thed Björk to the front row, with the Münnich Honda Civic TCR of Néstor Girolami leading off row two ahead of the Cyan Racing Lynk & Co of championship returnee Andy Priaulx.

For 2019, the points now pay down to 15th, place, meaning Muller has a better chance than in previous years of rescuing a points finish, though the Frenchman would still have to pass 11 cars around the tight street circuit.