Experience is rank, and the veteran Repsol driver Gabriele Tarquini knew how to get the most out his SEAT León TDI WTCC this season, with a total of three wins and scoring in almost every race this year, which allowed him to be crowned the 2009 World Touring Car Champion. Back home in Giulianova, and after celebrating it with his family and friends, Tarquini reflects on the season and the milestone reached.
How did you feel after being crowned World Champion?
“Fantastic! It was a very long and tough season, in which we experienced a very intense battle. We reached the final race under a lot of pressure and to find out that you are the champion at the end; winning the World Championship title, it’s a good feeling that allows you to forget about all the bad things and enjoy the work done.”
You achieved it after a tough weekend, which did not start well. What went through your head on Friday after the accident?
“It was a very bad time, because it was a very important weekend and on Saturday I had not one, but two accidents. In the first I damaged the car a little, but in the second, which was very hard, the SEAT León was destroyed. Not only mine; but also Yvan’s [Muller] car was in bits and he was in hospital. When we met in the hospital, I thought that I had lost a huge opportunity in the worst possible way, giving it to Augusto [Farfus] on a plate.”
At 47, after a stint in Formula 1, and different national touring car championships, did you expect to be crowned World Champion?
“To be honest, last year I was close to it, and three years ago too, so the goal for this season was to win the championship. In such a powerful team, with five such talented drivers, the internal competition was very tough, but the goal was clear.”
The season started well, with a podium finish and win in Brazil and you remained very consistent. When did you really start thinking that you could be the champion?
“You never think that until the last second, because in a championship as competitive as this, where the regulations create a lot of rivalry, everything can change very quickly. And more so with a final race like Macau, where any error costs you dear, where going 5 centimetres off in a turn means an accident. I had already ended up in hospital in previous years and I had never had many points, so I knew that you can’t claim victory too early.”
It has been a complicated and strange season, due to changes in the regulations. Does this make the final victory worth even more?
“The changes are a system to increase the thrill of the championship for the spectators and bring the participants on a level, making it impossible for the champion to be decided before the last race. It’s always difficult to manage such an open championship, with cars with such different specifications, so therefore the system they have set up is good, I think. We have been strong and consistent throughout the season, and that is what allowed us to win in the end.”
Last year you were a point away from winning the championship, but it slipped through your fingers. This year, Yvan Muller and you have swapped positions. What changed this season?
“Surely my way of tackling the championship. I learned a lot last season, where I had a very good start, scoring a lot of points and getting a big advantage half way through the season, but after Portugal, I scored a lot of zeros one after the other, and in the end I was left on the threshold. This season, I have scored in 22 races out of 24, and that’s the difference. I have been much more consistent.”
How would you describe the SEAT León TDI WTCC you competed with?
“It’s a very aggressive car, with a lot of acceleration, a lot of speed. So much as to affect the tyres, which wear out more quickly, but which makes it a wild car, which if you can dominate, allows you to enjoy it a lot.”
It is a very closely-fought championship, even with different ballasts according to the results to bring the participants on a level, what is it that finally allows you to set the difference?
“Consistency. As I said, from last year to this, I scored in many more races and that’s what allows you to opt for the final victory. Perhaps it’s not good for the sport to jeopardize some or others, but it is good for spectators. It’s important to win races, but above all, to finish on the podium, or close, in every race to accumulate points that are what count in the end.”
What has been the best moment of the season?
“The Imola race. I arrived there under a lot of pressure, from the media, knowing that fans, friends and family would be there. What’s more, that’s where my bad luck started last year. This year I took the pole position and scored a lot of points, and that, along with Yvan Muller, allowed us to gain a good advantage over our rivals.
And a moment to forget?
“Japan. I got there with a small difference compared to Yvan, and bigger compared to Augusto Farfus. I had some great practices and clocked up the pole position, but on the Sunday the conditions completely changed and it started pouring. I made two mistakes, which cost me points, but at the same time, it gave me even more motivation for the final race.”
How were you received at home?
“I’m from a small town and I’ve been racing for many years, so we all know each other and they are my biggest fans. When I got back from Macau, there was a huge party set up in the main square, and I enjoyed it with my family and friends and all the people who have been supporting me for a long time. It was very nice and emotional.”
Are you aware that you have broken a record set by Fangio himself? How does that make you feel?
“That’s what the statistics say, but they are very difficult to compare. Fangio is a motor racing legend, and I’m very proud to be compared with him, but it’s very different. In Italy, they have also given a lot of importance to the title, as the first Italian driver in many years and that’s makes me very happy.”
And looking to the future, are you ready to beat Gabriele Tarquini’s record in 2010?
“Of course I would like to; in 2010 I would love to continue with SEAT and fight for the title again. It has been a great experience, so what I want now is to enjoy what I have achieved, and later on, we’ll see. What I do know is that I’m not going to retire now. It’s not my time yet and at the moment, what I want to do is celebrate this win. We’ll see what happens later on.”
