ASIAN WRAP: Bamber wins as Menzel takes title

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

Le Mans 24 Hours winner Earl Bamber won on his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia return as Nico Menzel secured the championship at the Shanghai finale.

New Zealander Bamber, who won back-to-back Carrera Cup Asia titles from 2013-2014, made a one-off guest appearance at China’s Shanghai International Circuit.

Bamber showed his skills to record a lights-to-flag victory as Frenchman Maxime Jousse edged Menzel to second as the title race intensified.

The final race of the season saw Bamber sit out to allow the championship battle to play out.

Menzel held a 13-point lead heading into the final race which left Jousse needing to finish five places ahead of the German to wrestle the championship away.

The 19-year-old drove a smart race to finish third behind Austrian Martin Ragginger and Jousse.

Menzel took the title by eight points from Jousse to become the youngest ever Carrera Cup Asia champion.

“I didn’t want to risk anything and in the end we finished third,” said Menzel.

It’s nice to finish on the podium as a champion – and in the end the most important thing is that we are champions.”

Australian Mitchell Gilbert finished fourth and sixth respectively to secure third overall in the championship from Andrew Tang.

Audi R8 LMS Cup

Alex Yoong clinched his third consecutive Audi R8 LMS Cup crown in dramatic circumstances at China’s Shanghai International Circuit.

The former Formula 1 driver claimed the title by a single point after championship rival Alessio Picariello was handed a penalty for his role in a clash with Yoong on the penultimate lap of the final race.

The championship battle was finely poised after the opening heat as Yoong edged Picariello to second behind race winner Martin Rump.

While Rump went on to take his second win, Picariello and Yoong became locked in a battle for the final podium spot.

However, on the penultimate lap Picariello attempted to pass Yoong but made contact with his opponent, forcing him off the circuit and into retirement.

Picariello finished eighth, which would have secured title, before stewards imposed a 30 second penalty relegating him to 12th.