Felipe Fernández wins as Viktor Andersson is crowned champion
Felipe Fernández dominated the first race of the TCR Spain season finale in Barcelona, taking his first victory of the year. Viktor Andersson fought his way to finish fifth and clinched the drivers’ title.
The start of the race was delayed due to the fog over the Barcelona race track and Andersson had received a ten-place grid penalty due to an engine change which dropped him from second to 12th on the grid.
Honda driver Felipe Fernández took the lead from the pole position ahead of rival Honda drivers Sten-Dorian Piirimagi and René Polvsen.
Erik Zabala (Audi) overtook Povlsen for third position on the first lap, with Andersson also recovering ground from 12th to seventh place.
Zabala was unable to keep up with the leading duo and came under fire from Polvsen and the Hondas of Rubén Fernández and Carl Boardley on lap four. Andersson soon joined the group.
Rubén Fernández sought every opportunity to attack Polvsen and overtook the Dane for fourth position on lap six.
Polvsen and Boardley collided in the fight for with which enabled Andersson to pass them both.
Zabala lost third place to Rubén Fernández on lap eight, with Andersson putting pressure on the Audi driver for fourth place.
Boardley eyed a possible podium result and attacked Andersson and Zabala on lap ten. The Briton and the Swede made contact while side-by-side, allowing Boardley past.
Boardley then made a bizarre move outside of the track limits to overtake Zabala on lap 12, going straight over the grass in the following corner and then beached his Honda in the gravel.
Zabala defended the inside hard from Andersson on the following lap which enabled Povlsen to pass the Swedish driver.
Andersson managed to get back past Polvsen for fifth on lap 14.
Felipe Fernández won at the chequered flag ahead of Piirimagi while Rubén Fernández completed the podium.
Zabala defended fourth position until the end ahead of Andersson who scored the necessary points to claim the TCR Spain crown.
Víctor Fernández crossed the line in sixth position ahead of Povlsen. Mathieu Casalonga (Audi) was eighth, followed by his team-mate Samuel Chaligne (Cupra). Demir Eröge (Honda) completed the top ten.
“There couldn’t be a better end to the season, with a fast race and with me and my brother on the podium, specially here, our home track,” Felipe Fernández said after the race.
After the first race of the Barcelona season finale, Andersson has 259 points, 30 ahead of Piirimagi and 49 over Zabala, with the Swede clinching the title with one race to go.
The TCR Spain field returns to the track on Sunday at 15:45 CET for Race 2.
