James Bowers

Jean-Karl Vernay took a home victory in the WTCR Race of France, but the real story came from behind as fellow title competitors Yann Ehrlacher and Esteban Guerrieri duked it out in the midfield.

Frederic Vervisch won the opening FIA World Touring Car Cup race at Circuit Pau-Arnos, elevating him up into fourth in the drivers' championship standings.

Hyundai's quartet of drivers showed good form on Saturday, and Jean-Karl Vernay was often the one leading the way. However, overcoming tyre degradation would prove to be the team's biggest challenge during WTCR qualifying.

Norbert Michelisz has continued his good form from Czechia into the WTCR Race of France. The Hungarian fan favourite is optimistic about what Sunday might bring from his third-place grid position.

After securing pole position for Sunday's WTCR Race of France, home hero Yvan Muller admitted that if he could only have pole at one circuit this year, it would be this one.

Yvan Muller has taken pole position for the WTCR main race at Circuit Pau-Arnos, while Frederic Vervisch will start from the front row on the reversed grid.

Santiago Urrutia was the fastest driver in the second WTCR practice session, posting a lap time of 01:19.295 around Circuit Pau-Arnos.

Yvan Muller was quickest of all in a strong session for Cyan Racing, as the FIA World Touring Car Cup embarked upon its first laps of the Circuit Pau-Arnos.