Honda’s trio of factory drivers Rob Huff, Norbert Michelisz and Tiago Monteiro can all finish in the final top three when the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship season concludes at WTCC DHL Race of Qatar later this month. Here are five examples of team-mates tussling for top positions at WTCC season finales over the years.
Loeb v Muller, Qatar 2015
Both Frenchman started the inaugural WTCC Race of Qatar locked in a close fight to finish runner-up to team-mate José María López. In what was Sébastien Loeb’s final appearance in the championship, Yvan Muller came out on top by a single point.
Huff v Menu v Muller, Macau 2012
Following this all-Chevrolet battle for the crown, Rob Huff won for his maiden WTCC title with a 12-point advantage over Alain Menu. Yvan Muller settled for third.
Huff v Muller, Macau 2011
Even winning both races at the Macau finale wasn’t enough for Rob Huff to claim his first WTCC crown with Yvan Muller taking the top laurels instead. By three points ahead of his fellow Chevrolet driver.
Muller v Tarquini, Macau 2009
Yvan Muller arrived in Macau for the 2009 WTCC season closer as the reigning world champion. But his SEAT team-mate Gabriele Tarquini prevented him from making it back-to-back crowns by a four-point margin.
Jörg Müller v Priaulx, Macau 2006
Okay, they weren’t exactly team-mates but both were factory BMW drivers so it’s kind of the next best thing. With Germany out for revenge after Andy Priaulx vanquished Dirk Müller for his first WTCC title in 2005, Jörg Müller ran the British driver closest in 2006, missing out on the crown by a single score.