truCido
04-06-07, 08:36 AM
<table><tbody><tr><td>http://www.seatsportuk.co.uk/seatcupra2/images/library/template_2175557.jpg</td><td>SEAT Sport starts Round 7 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship with two cars in the top three after one of the most incident-packed qualifying sessions of the season so far. Yvan Muller was frustrated in his bid to claim pole position after his León and the Chevrolet of Alain Menu kept exchanging fastest times throughout the 30-minute session, but a succession of yellow flags in the final minutes meant Muller couldn’t better Menu’s time. With 3rd placed Augusto Farfus dropping 10 places after an incident in Valencia, Tiago Monteiro moves up a position and so will start from 3rd.
Jordi Gené, who qualified 8th, also benefits from Farfus’ 10 place penalty, while Gabriele Tarquini will start from 19th on the grid after incurring a similar penalty to Farfus in Valencia. Michel Jourdain Jr. starts from 15th, one place behind the SEAT León of the fastest Independent driver, Anthony Beltoise.
Yvan Muller (SEAT León no. 12): On my fastest lap, there was an Alfa in the barrier and then in the last few minutes there was a Chevrolet stopped on the track, although he hadn’t had an accident; that’s not really fair. I prefer to be second than fourth, for sure, but being on the outside for a rolling start isn’t really the place to be.
Tiago Monteiro (SEAT León no. 18): It’s definitely a good result; my best result so far this year. The car felt great, good balance, but you really need a comfortable balance here to give you the confidence to push and that’s what my engineer and the mechanics gave me. It’s difficult to overtake here, but let’s see what happens.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Jordi Gené (SEAT León no. 9): My first objective was to qualify in the top eight, so I’ve achieved that, but I feel I could have done better. In such a close session, a couple of tenths would have made all the difference. I have to concentrate on staying out of trouble and focus on the second race, really.
Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT León no. 11): The penalty I had after Valencia was a bit of a psychological thing, really; it’s difficult to push when you know you have no chance to take pole. Starting from nineteenth, I will be very careful at the start; anything can happen on a street circuit and the first corner will be crucial.
Michel Jourdain Jr (SEAT León no. 10): I have to say that I’m disappointed. We have a much better car than fifteenth place, but I made a couple of small mistakes. I was fifth in this morning’s practice, so that’s where I should be. Okay, the yellow flags didn’t help, but they only cost a couple of tenths, if that.
Standings
1. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)…1:21:930
2. Yvan Muller (SEAT)…1:22:328
3. Augusto Farfus Jr. (BMW)…1:22:379
4. Tiago Monteiro (SEAT)…1:22:391
5. Nicola Larini (Chevrolet)…1:22:416
8. Jordi Gené (SEAT)…1:22:591
9. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT)…1:22:634
14. Anthony Beltoise (SEAT)…1:23:055
15. Michel Jourdain Jr. (SEAT)…1:23:094
Round 7 begins at 10.05 on Sunday, with Round 8 at 15.35 (Central European time). Both races will be broadcast live on Eurosport.
Jordi Gené, who qualified 8th, also benefits from Farfus’ 10 place penalty, while Gabriele Tarquini will start from 19th on the grid after incurring a similar penalty to Farfus in Valencia. Michel Jourdain Jr. starts from 15th, one place behind the SEAT León of the fastest Independent driver, Anthony Beltoise.
Yvan Muller (SEAT León no. 12): On my fastest lap, there was an Alfa in the barrier and then in the last few minutes there was a Chevrolet stopped on the track, although he hadn’t had an accident; that’s not really fair. I prefer to be second than fourth, for sure, but being on the outside for a rolling start isn’t really the place to be.
Tiago Monteiro (SEAT León no. 18): It’s definitely a good result; my best result so far this year. The car felt great, good balance, but you really need a comfortable balance here to give you the confidence to push and that’s what my engineer and the mechanics gave me. It’s difficult to overtake here, but let’s see what happens.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Jordi Gené (SEAT León no. 9): My first objective was to qualify in the top eight, so I’ve achieved that, but I feel I could have done better. In such a close session, a couple of tenths would have made all the difference. I have to concentrate on staying out of trouble and focus on the second race, really.
Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT León no. 11): The penalty I had after Valencia was a bit of a psychological thing, really; it’s difficult to push when you know you have no chance to take pole. Starting from nineteenth, I will be very careful at the start; anything can happen on a street circuit and the first corner will be crucial.
Michel Jourdain Jr (SEAT León no. 10): I have to say that I’m disappointed. We have a much better car than fifteenth place, but I made a couple of small mistakes. I was fifth in this morning’s practice, so that’s where I should be. Okay, the yellow flags didn’t help, but they only cost a couple of tenths, if that.
Standings
1. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)…1:21:930
2. Yvan Muller (SEAT)…1:22:328
3. Augusto Farfus Jr. (BMW)…1:22:379
4. Tiago Monteiro (SEAT)…1:22:391
5. Nicola Larini (Chevrolet)…1:22:416
8. Jordi Gené (SEAT)…1:22:591
9. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT)…1:22:634
14. Anthony Beltoise (SEAT)…1:23:055
15. Michel Jourdain Jr. (SEAT)…1:23:094
Round 7 begins at 10.05 on Sunday, with Round 8 at 15.35 (Central European time). Both races will be broadcast live on Eurosport.