Yann Ehrlacher crowned champion after Race 1

In a Race 1 dominated by Hyundai’s Néstor Girolami, Yann Ehrlacher (Lynk & Co 03 FL) secured the FIA TCR World Tour championship, succeeding Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai Elantra N).

In Saturday’s race, Girolami (Hyundai Elantra N) claimed victory comfortably ahead of Mikel Azcona (Hyundai Elantra N), while Ehrlacher finished third, earning enough points to clinch the title.

Girolami had qualified on pole position, posting a lap just three-tenths of a second faster than Ehrlacher on Friday.

Focusing solely on the championship, Ehrlacher refrained from attacking and defended his position, keeping an eye on his title rival and teammate, Thed Björk (Lynk & Co 03 FL).

Björk started well and tried to attack the leading duo early in the first lap. However, he lost momentum at Mandarin’s Bend, allowing Azcona to close in and eventually overtake him on the brakes into Lisboa Bend.

With the championship standings finally settled, Sunday’s race offered a less stressful contest.

Using the usual inverted grid from 1st to 10th, Joshua Buchan (Hyundai Elantra N) led from start to finish. The TCR Australia representative called his TCR World Tour victory at the Macau Grand Prix the “best moment of his career.”

Buchan beat Lynk & Co driver Ma Qinghua to claim the win, with Björk finishing third in the final race of the season.