WTCR 2019: what’s new?

January 2nd, 2019 | 2019 |

Season two of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO is go and if you liked it in 2018, you’re going to love it in 2019!

New drivers, new cars, a new track and a new point-scoring system are just some of what’s in store during the upcoming campaign when one of motorsport’s big success stories of recent years changes up another gear.

Kicking off in Morocco in early April, WTCR OSCARO season two includes stops in Hungary, Slovakia, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, China, Japan and Macau with newcomer Malaysia hosting the super-finale.

Standardised points… for top 15

WTCR OSCARO gets a new points system for 2019 with the aim of ensuring more drivers can score points more often. The top 15 drivers according to the final classification of Races 1, 2 and 3 are rewarded as follows:

Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pts 25 20 16 13 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The same points-scoring system is applied to the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO for Teams. Wildcard drivers are no longer be eligible for points.

First Qualifying pace rewarded with points

Points are distributed not only following Second Qualifying as in 2018 but following First Qualifying as well. The fastest five drivers according to the final classification score as follows:

Position 1 2 3 4 5 Points 5 4 3 2 1

Entry restrictions introduced

In order to balance participation between the customer racing brands competing in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO (Alfa Romeo, Audi, Cupra, Honda, Hyundai, Peugeot and Volkswagen took part in 2018 and are joined by Lynk & Co in 2019), a maximum of four cars per brand with two-car teams only are permitted.

Tweaks to testing rules too

To preserve track time equity and avoid budget increases, further testing restrictions are in place for 2019. No testing is allowed on any WTCR circuit prior to or during a race weekend once the season is underway with some exceptions, such as official tests organised by WTCR promoter Eurosport Events and 24h-Rennen sessions during the Nürburgring Nordschleife event.

On-event staff numbers restricted

Ten armbands are issued per car entered and only those operational staff assigned with an armband, having registered with the FIA before each event, are allowed to work on cars for duration of an event.

Free Practice 1 on the move

WTCR OSCARO events typically take place over three days to avoid timetables becoming too congested. As a result, Free Practice 1 takes place on day one, and is extended to 45 minutes to increase track time for teams and drivers.

Q3 running order adjusted

The running order for the Q3 phase of Second Qualifying is adjusted with the driver setting the fastest time in Q2 choosing their starting order in the five-car Q3 shootout. It means the quickest driver in Q2 will no longer have to wait for four other drivers to complete their Q3 runs before attempting their own Q3 run. The change follows feedback from drivers who felt they could be disadvantage by waiting due to the potential drop-off in car performance and tyre temperature, for example.

Who’s in it to win it?

The drivers announced as of 31 December 2018 are as follows:

Mehdi Bennani (MAR), Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR

Thed Björk (SWE), Lynk & Co 03 TCR, pictured

Nicky Catsburg (NED), Hyundai i30 N TCR

Yann Ehrlacher (FRA), Lynk & Co 03 TCR

Augusto Farfus (BRA), Hyundai i30 N TCR

Rob Huff (GBR), Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR

Johan Kristoffersson (SWE), Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR

Norbert Michelisz (HUN), Hyundai i30 N TCR

Yvan Muller (FRA), Lynk & Co 03 TCR

Andy Priaulx (GBR), Lynk & Co 03 TCR

Gabriele Tarquini (ITA), Hyundai i30 N TCR