Muller takes Race 1 and Menu brings Michel Vaillant home to victory in Race 2
- Details
- Published on June 10, 2012
It was a successful and emotional last round of the WTCC’s European season for Chevrolet with the Cruzes taking another double win today at Portimão.
Yvan Muller strengthened his leadership in the Drivers’ standings by winning Race 1, while the Vaillante-liveried Cruze was first past the chequered flag in Race 2 with Alain Menu – in the guise of Michel Vaillant, the most acclaimed racing driver in comic strip books – playing his part perfectly and claiming the top spot. Rob Huff marked his 200th race in touring car racing with a podium finish.
Race 1 saw Muller taking the lead at the first corner and keeping it to the finish line, although he had to deal with constant pressure from SEAT driver Gabriele Tarquini and Huff, who finished 3rd. Alain Menu finished 5th after climbing from P9 on the grid.
The second race was relatively easy for Alain Menu, who took the lead from the start and cruised to victory, confirming the winning legend of Michel Vaillant. It was a livelier race for Huff and Muller as they were involved in close battles with home favorite Tiago Monteiro (SEAT), Alberto Cerqui (BMW) and Tarquini. The Chevrolet drivers finished the race 4th and 5threspectively.
It was an all round good day for the Cruzes with Alex MacDowall, for Bamboo Engineering, ending up in the points in both races.
- QUOTES
Alain Menu (5th/1st): “This has been a great weekend! Playing Michel Vaillant has been exciting, but Alain Menu is also very happy with so many points. Race 1 was frustrating. I had balance problems in tight corners and felt I was lacking on power. Towards the end of the race, I had vibration issues with the car.
“We carried out some changes inbetween races and everything worked perfectly. Race 2 was a dream; I start perfectly and pushed for three laps, which was enough to build a sufficient gap to take me all the way to the finish line.”
Yvan Muller (1st/5th): “I extended the lead in the championship. Race 1 may have looked like a walk in the park, but it wasn’t. I focused on the start and managed to pass Tarquini and take the lead at the first corner, but Gabriele and Rob never relented and kept the pressure on throughout the race.
“My objective was to keep the race under control without pressing too much to avoid any trouble with the tires. We worked on the car after qualifying and I knew the car would perform on tack.
“Race 2 was quite hectic with many fights. I overtook Tarquini when he made a mistake in turn 1, but then he pushed back and I lost my position in favor of Rob. It’s a pity because 4th place was nearly assured, but that’s racing.”
Rob Huff (3rd/4th): “I can’t say this was the best weekend I’ve had, but I survived it. In Race 1, the car felt good and I pushed hard to try to overtake Tarquini and Yvan, but there was never an opportunity to overtake either of them despite reducing the gap substantially.
“Race 2 was full of up and downs and reasonably crazy. Some drivers were quite aggressive and doing strange things in the mid field. It was exciting racing, though.”
Eric Nève: “It’s absolutely great to complete the European part of the season with a double win. We couldn’t have asked for more and this is the best encouragement for us for the second part of the championship which will see the WTCC visiting four different countries and showing its real global dimension.”
Philippe Graton: “What we witnessed here today, with the success of Michel Vaillant, is absolutely magic. We couldn’t have hoped for a happier end to this project. I want to thank Eurosport and Chevrolet who made this possible.
Needless to say, Alain Menu deserves our fullest and most heartfelt gratitude for his perfect and successful role as Michel Vaillant. It has been a very emotional and rewarding experience.”
PORTIMÃO RACE 1 RESULTS
1. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze 11laps in 21m20s620
2. G Tarquini SEAT León WTCC + 0s336
3. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 0s951
4. N Michelisz BMW 320 TC + 6s699
5. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze +13s669
10 A MacDowall Chevrolet Cruze +21s723
PORTIMÃO RACE 2 RESULTS
1. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze 11 laps in 21m34s180
2. P Oriola SEAT León WTCC + 3s200
3. T Coronel BMW 320 TC + 5s160
4. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 6s961
5. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 8s280
7. A MacDowall Chevrolet Cruze +15s007
WTCC DRIVERS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 14 OF 24
1. Muller (Chevrolet), 245; 2. Huff (Chevrolet), 227; 3. Menu (Chevrolet), 207; 4. Coronel (BMW), 142; 5. Tarquini (SEAT), 134; …13. MacDowall (Chevrolet), 28; …15. Rydell (Chevrolet), 14; …
WTCC MANUFACTURERS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 14 OF 24
1. Chevrolet, 578 points; 2. BMW, 389; 3. SEAT, 370.
About Chevrolet
Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet is celebrating its centennial as a global automotive brand. Last year, about 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries or one every 6.6 seconds. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The full range of Chevrolet vehicles such as the large SUV Chevrolet Suburban that’s worthy of its title as the longest running nameplate in the automotive history, the thinking-man’s subcompact Chevrolet Aveo, the Philippine Car Of The Year for 2010-2011, Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan; the iconic and ultimate American muscle car, Chevrolet Camaro; the mini-passenger car with a massive attitude, the Chevrolet Spark and the ultimate luxury crossover, the Chevrolet Traverse, reiterates its global strengths and highlights its many facets, capabilities and extensive reach as well as the newly launched, 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle, Chevrolet
