WTCC. 4th round. Pau
THE REPSOL DRIVERS CLAIM FURTHER PODIUMS IN FRANCE
SEAT and Repsol maintain their lead of the World Championship
with Gabrielle Tarquini
The two races held on the French Pau circuit ended with good
results for SEAT Sport and Repsol, as Yvan Muller, Jordi Gené
and Rickard Rydell climbed to the podium, giving the factory
from Martorelles and the Repsol drivers the lead in the World
Championship. The first race was on a dry track, while the
second was on a wet track, and in both the SEAT León
TDI demonstrated its competitiveness, in spite of the differences
in weigth with its rivals.
Gabriele Tarquini, with the heaviest car on the grid, managed
to finish in fifth and fourth position, guaranteeing his leadership
in the drivers' classification. And along with his teammates,
he collaborated so that the points scored by SEAT give the
brand the lead of the constructors' classification.
1st Race
After the start, an accident involving a number of cars brought
on the red flag as the track was blocked. Pierre Yves Coarthals
and Oscar Nogués were forced to withdraw, while Tiago
Monteiro's car was partly damaged. When the race restarted,
Farfus had no problem taking off in the lead, while Yvan Muller
and Jordi Gené secured second and third position behind
him, staying there until the end of the race.
Further back, Gabriele Tarquini and Rickard Rydell struggled
with Robert Huff, a fight which was the focus of attention
during the race. Near the end of the same, Tarquini was unable
to resist the attacks by the Chevrolet driver, who with a
much lighter car managed to reach the end of the race with
his tyres in better condition. Tarquini and Rydell finally
finished in fifth and sixth position.
2nd Race
The second race was held under torrential rain, which forced
the Safety Car to lead the start. Right from the beginning,
Priaulx (BMW) and Larini (Chevrolet) took the first two positions,
with Rydell, Tarquini and Gené behind them.
Throughout the race and in very difficult conditions due
to the rain and the puddles, Rydell kept close to the two
leaders, awaiting an error which did not materialise. Tarquini
kept a prudent distance, while Gené was forced to make
a pitstop to repair a wheel. This gave Yvan Muller the chance
to recover a position and finished seventh. Tiago Monteiro
managed to recover a number of places after a tough battle
with Muller's BMW and Tom Coronel's SEAT WTCC, both finishing
close to the points range.
Quotes
Yvan Müller >> 2nd and 7th
“It wasn't such a bad weekend for us, bearing in mind
the weight our cars have.
But we cannot be satisfied with the results. We could have
been further up in the classification, but we'll have to wait
for the race at Brno.”
Rickard Rydell >> 6th and 3rd
“I'm very satisfied with my results after my first participation
in Pau, and I've been able to count on a very efficient car
at all times, particularly in wet conditions.
I'm happy, also, because the team has done a great job and
scored a lot of points.”
Jordi Gené >> 3rd and 19th
“The weekend went well for us. We can be pleased. The
classification went well for me, as did the first race.
In the second I damaged a wheel against a piano. If that
hadn't have happened I would have scored more points.”
Gabrielle Tarquini >> 5th and 4th
“We have to be positive. With such a heavy car I would
have wished for nine points.
I think the key to it was yesterday's great classification.
It has given us an unexpected result.”
Tiago Monteiro >> 13th and 10th
“I didn't manage the result I wanted.
The races were good for the team, which has scored more points,
but not for me, because nothing worked out as it should have.
The continuous changes in the weather were very negative.”
Official results
>> First Race
1. A.Farfus (BMW)
2. Y. Muller (SEAT León TDI) + 17”851
3. J.Gené (SEAT León TDI) + 18”111
4. R.Huff (Chevrolet) + 19”139
5. G.Tarquini (SEAT León TDI) + 20”608
6. R.Rydell (SEAT León TDI) + 21”265
13. T.Monteiro (SEAT León TDI) + 25”417
>> Second race
1. A.Priaulx (BMW)
2. N.Larini (Chevrolet), + 4”528
3. R.Rydell (SEAT León TDI) + 5”000
4. G.Tarquini (SEAT León TDI) + 14”424
5. R.Huff (Chevrolet) + 18”324
7. Y. Muller (SEAT León TDI) + 25”140
10. T.Monteiro (SEAT León TDI) + 41”636
19. J.Gené (SEAT León TDI) + 1 v.
>> General Classification
1. G.Tarquini (SEAT), 45 p.
2. Y.Muller (SEAT), 38 p.
3. R.Rydell (SEAT), 37 p.
4. A.Priaulx (BMW), 33 p.
5. J.Gené (SEAT), 30 p.
11. T.Monteiro (SEAT), 12 p.
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