Manuel Fernandes withdraws from Vila Real event

SP Compètition driver Manuel Fernandes has withdrawn from the Vila Real event due to the damage sustained to his Cupra following an incident during the FIA TCR World Tour qualifying session.

It was during the final moments of the Q1 session when Fernandes crashed into the barriers, causing the third red flag of the session.

Despite suffering some pain from the incident, Fernandes was cleared and fit to race on Sunday. However, his Cupra suffered too much front left damage to be repaired in time.

“Manuel is fortunately ok and he would have been able to race,” a SP Compètition spokesman told TouringCarTimes.

“Unfortunately, the crash was too heavy for us to repair it on time, so he won’t be able to race.”

The team confirmed the car will be repaired in time to travel to Australia, where they expect John Filippi’s return for the fifth round of the 2025 FIA TCR World Tour season.