The drivers in the Repsol & SEAT team got three podiums in the third round of the WTCC this weekend, in the race held today in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh. Gabriele Tarquini and Jordi Gené finished second and third in the first race whilst Yvan Muller was second in the following race. These results strengthen the lead that the Repsol drivers have in the overall classification.
1st race
The Chevrolet driven by Robert Huff made good use of its pole position and moved into the lead right from the start ahead of Gabriele Tarquini, Yvan Muller and Jordi Gené. An accident on the first corner left Rickard Rydell out of the race after his car was left without any suspension, and it was impossible for it to be repaired in time for the second race.
Huff suffered pressure from the drivers in the Repsol and SEAT team during the whole race although Tarquini did not take any risks overtaking on a circuit where such a move was very difficult, and he had to make do with second position. Behind him Gené overtook Yvan Muller two laps from the end whilst Tiago Monteiro was just behind the Frenchman, achieving an excellent result for the Repsol drivers.
2nd race
Yvan Muller was the star in the second race fighting back from 5th to second position after a tough battle with Huff and Jorg Müller. The Repsol rider moved into second position behind Nicola Larini and withstood the attacks from his rivals until he was given the chequered flag.
Just behind this group was Gabriele Tarquini who finished in 5th position and Tiago Monteiro was 7th, and so both drivers won points in the WTCC championship. Jordi Gené was not able to take part in the race as he had a problem with the transmission on his car during the warm-up.
The next round of the championship will be at the French circuit of Pau, on 16th- 17th May.
Quotes
Yvan Muller
“I still have a good lead in the championship, but the season is very long and we will have to wait and see”.
Gabriele Tarquini
“You cannot always win, but our objective is to win points in all the races and that is what we are doing”
Jordi Gené
“This will be a very tight battle, more so than last year, and I share my teammates’ opinion, the key will always be to win points”.
