Rain of penalties reshuffles the grid for Suzuka Race 1

Thirteen drivers were given grid penalties for WTCR Race 1 at Suzuka. Most of them were punished for slowing down dangerously during Qualifying or Free Practice while looking for a clear lap, others were pushed to the back of the grid for neutralization of the parc fermé (Tom Coronel, Yvan Muller, Aurélien Panis and Mikel Azcona) or for an engine change (Néstor Girolami).
The penalties that affected the top positions were those to Tiago Monteiro who had set the pole and was dropped to fourth, and Gabriele Tarquini who dropped from fifth to eighth. Esteban Guerrieri, second fastest in Qualifying 1, inherited the pole position and Niels Langeveld will share the front row with him.