ROUNDS 15 & 16 RACE QUOTES
Gabriele TARQUINI – SEAT Sport Italia, 3rd
in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
“I hoped to be faster in the first race but unfortunately
the BMW was quicker and the best I could achieve was third.
I changed tactics for this event because I had nothing to
lose. I attacked as hard as possible in Race 1 and a podium
was really good. In the very difficult conditions of the second
race my car was uncatchable and I set the fastest lap. I lost
some positions through a mistake in the initial stages of
the race but I recovered. I don’t know why I was fast
in Race 2, perhaps it was because I risked a lot more than
the other drivers. Next we move to Valencia which is good
for us but there is no doubt BMW will be competitive. It’s
SEAT’s home race so I’m certain we will do everything
we can to create a good show.”
Alessandro ZANARDI – BMW Team Italy-Spain,
1st in Race 1, 9th in Race 2
“The race win is absolutely fantastic and very special.
Though the one I had last year at Oschersleben is unbeatable
emotionally because it was first since my come-back. But it
has been one year and my legs didn’t grow back so it’s
still tough and to win is still such an achievement. It is
every driver’s dream to look in the mirror and see your
opponents getting smaller and smaller! When we were waiting
on the grid for the second race I thought it would be a good
idea to cancel it and award double points to the winner of
Race 1. For some reason nobody listened to me.”
Rickard RYDELL – SEAT Sport Sverige, 2nd in
Race 1, 4th in Race 2
“I hope my luck has changed now because this weekend
was a success. Pole position for Race 1 was really great and
the car felt excellent and was competitive. I certainly didn’t
settle for 2nd position, I tried to catch Zanardi but he has
had good pace all weekend. In the second race it was good
to take so many points away from BMW because that was our
aim. My engineer told me, ‘No risks in Race 2.’
It was quite easy to pass the BMWs and if I’d had another
lap I probably could have passed Larini too.”
Peter TERTING – SEAT Sport Deutschland, 6th
in Race 1, 2nd in Race 2
“The weekend didn’t start well for me because
I had some problems with my engine. We had to change it and
so started from 19th on the grid. I really didn’t expect
that I could take so many points from this event. I have found
a really good set-up on the car both in wet and dry conditions.
SEAT are a really great team and I am happy to be with them.
I will do anything to help them win both the manufacturers’
championship and the drivers’ championship.”
Nicola LARINI – Chevrolet, 7th in Race 1, 3rd
in Race 2
“This was a good race weekend without any trouble.
I was happy to join my team-mates in having achieved a podium
position result. In the first race I tried to catch the leading
drivers but it was impossible and so I took 7th place and
a front row start for Race 2. I love to drive in the wet and
the car was good. The fight between Terting and I caused damage
to my front tyres and by the last three laps it was quite
unbearable. I was determined to get my first podium in the
WTCC so I made it very difficult to overtake and it worked.”
Tom CORONEL – GR Asia, 8th in Race 1, 12th
in Race 2
“It was quite difficult to win the independent Race
1 because I came from 17th on the grid and everybody was hitting
each other. I was clever and went through the traffic before
having a good fight with Rangoni, Farfus and Tavano. I turned
out to be the winner of these battles and it was a bonus to
finish 8th and start on pole for Race 2 because I never expected
to be there.”
Stefano D’ASTE – Proteam Motorsport,
12th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
“I had a big problem with my clutch in both races.
In the second race I couldn’t use it at all and it was
so slippery. It was extremely difficult to drive and I really
had to anticipate the braking points to avoid locking the
rear wheels and spinning. Tom Coronel and I had a tough, fun
fight over the last two laps and I was able to overtake him
on the last three corners of the race. I’m very happy
and thankful to my team.”
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