WTCC United Kingdon – Great Britain
The SEAT Repsol team has got another podium finish thanks to the second place achieved by Yvan Muller in the first of the two WTCC races held today, Sunday, at the UK circuit of Brands Hatch. In unfavourable conditions, and driving against other much lighter cars, the León TDI performed well and the two drivers won important points that maintain SEAT Repsol as the leader of the World Constructors` Championship, and Muller and Tarquini, who won points in both races, in the top two positions in the World Championship for Drivers.
In the first race Yvan Muller got his SEAT León TDI into third position from the very start and although he could not keep up with the pace set by the fastest, had a good race, defending himself from the BMWs, especially Priaulx`s, who spent the 14 laps on his wheel, and who in the end he beat by just 13 thousandths of a second. Huff`s retirement, two laps from the end, meant that he finished in second place.
Further to the rear the other SEAT Repsol drivers were in aggressive form, this let Tarquini finish in seventh position and win two championship points, this was also thanks to the collaboration of and team spirit shown by Jordi Gené. Thanks to this result Tarquini was able to start the second race in the leading group and won four more points, and the only SEAT Repsol driver to finish near the top of the leaderboard.
Yvan Muller: (SEAT León TDI nº12): “This was a very tough weekend for SEAT. The weight really conditioned things for our cars, both on the corners as well as when braking, and it was not posible to keep up with our rivals. We fought the best we could and I hope things turn out better for the next race”.
Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT León TDI nº 11): “My objective in the first race was to finish among the fastest eight. Jordi`s help was very important and I want to thank him. The start of the second race was not very good and what is more our rivals` pace was much higher today, and that is why I am satisfied with having finished fifth”.
