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WTCR OSCARO 2019: excitement builds following FIA World Motor Sport Council decisions

The FIA World Motor Sport Council met in St Petersburg, Russia, today. During the session, a number of proposals presented by the FIA Touring Car Commission relating to the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO were approved. A summary appears below.

Standardised points… for top 15
The WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO will get a new points system for the 2019 season 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 will be rewarded as follows:

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

First Qualifying pace rewarded with points
Points will will be distributed not only following Second Qualifying as in 2018 but following First Qualifying as well. The fastest five drivers according to the final classification will score as follows:

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 will be joined by Lynk & Co in 2019), a maximum of four cars per brand with two-car teams will only be permitted. Entries open on 15 December.

Tweaks to testing rules too
To preserve track time equity and avoid budget increases, further testing restrictions will be imposed for 2019. No testing will be 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 will be issued per car entered and only those operational staff assigned with an armband, having registered with the FIA before each event, will be allowed to work on cars for duration of an event.

Free Practice 1 on the move
WTCR OSCARO events will typically take place over three days to avoid timetables becoming too congested. As a result, Free Practice 1 will take place on day one, and will be 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 will be 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.

Zdroj: fiawtcr.com