Nicky Catsburg came close to losing out on his front-row start for the Main Race at FIA WTCC Race of China last weekend following a bizarre chain of events at the Shanghai International Circuit.
After the dislodged rear bumper from Norbert Michelisz’s Honda Civic flew into the LADA driver’s path and latched onto the front grille , Catsburg’s factory Vesta began to overheat and lose performance. As a result, he was unable to hold off José María López for fourth place in the Opening Race.
And it would get worse for Catsburg on the slowing down lap when his car ground to a halt before mistakes by circuit staff during the recovery process resulted in a delay in the Vesta being returned to the LADA Sport Rosneft mechanics ahead of the Repair Time getting underway prior to the Main Race. However, he eventually made it onto the grid but dropped back to fourth at the finish.
“Starting P2 I had the pace to win or at least be P2 but losing positions again off the line cost me,” said Catsburg. “In the end P5 and P4 are good for points but I think it could have been so much better.”