Honda Racing driver Esteban Guerrieri ensured he will head to the final round of the 2021 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup season in contention for the title thanks to strong performances in both races at Adria.
The Argentinian put in a determined drive in Race One and led the initial running, eventually finishing third.
From second on the grid, Esteban launched into the lead on the run to the first corner and held the advantage on the opening lap until the polesitter barged his way back past at the final corner while taking to the grass.
Esteban ultimately finished third, registering his third podium finish of the season, before a measured drive to sixth place in Race Two.
He will therefore head to the final round of the season 36 points off the lead, with a maximum of 60 available at the Sochi Autodrom season finale in three weeks’ time.
Team-mate Nestor Girolami did an effective job in Race One, eventually bringing his ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Civic Type R TCR home in eighth place.
‘Bebu’ then made a stunning start from the third row of the grid in Race Two to run fourth, but his hopes were soon ended by two impacts in quick succession.
Despite leaving room on the inside, Nestor was hit from behind at the long Turn 4 right-hander, which sent him off into the gravel. He was hit again, this time from the side, when two other cars came together as he attempted to rejoin, and retired at the end of the opening lap.
Attila Tassi survived both races to bring home a best finish of 12th in his ALL-INKL.DE Münnich Motorsport-run car.
That came in Race Two, in which the Hungarian made a good start from 11th before being pushed out wide. He nevertheless regrouped, putting up an excellent defence of his position for more than half the race to score four points. He earlier finished 16th in Race One.
After a clutch issue in qualifying, Tiago Monteiro used Sunday’s races to test alternative set-ups that the team had previously considered using.
Despite his limited experience of those options he ran competitively in both races, finishing just behind Attila in 17th in Race One before improving to 15th in Race Two.