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The Cruzes Break German Jinx As Menu Takes Maiden Win At Oschersleben

Muller twice 3rd and many points scored allow to retain P1 in both Championships

2010-09-06

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The Chevrolet team put together another strong performance today at Oschersleben, in the eighth round of the 2010 WTCC, as Alain Menu won race 1, giving the team their first win ever on the German circuit. This is also the fifth win of the Cruze this year and the first for the Swiss driver in 2010. A consistent Yvan Muller finished third on both races, after a somehow disappointing qualifying, thus keeping the lead in the Drivers’ standings, where he is now preceding Andy Priaulx.

Rob Huff had an unluckier week-end. The Brit, who started race 1 from the second spot on the grid, took the lead of the race ahead of Menu but was later stopped by a sanction, which appeared excessive to most observers, following the many contacts occurred in turn one. In race 2, Rob managed to climb up positions throughout the field to take seventh ahead of Menu.

With the many points scored today, Chevrolet is strengthening its leading position in the Manufacturers’ standings, ahead of the last European event in Spain and the two Asian rounds.

·      QUOTES

Alain Menu (1st / 8th): "It is very nice to be again in the winner’s circle and I am very happy for the team, who took some heavy points today. In race 1, I took a good start, passing Priaulx and managed to come out unscathed from first corner. Then, we were one-two with Rob for a long while, before he had to stop because of the sanction he got. The last four laps I stayed very focused, trying not to make mistakes, as Farfus was not far behind me. He tried to attack me in the last corner, but everything went perfectly. In race 2, I had a very good start but had to lift up the throttle when I saw Yvan getting squeezed by two other cars in front of me. I lost some positions, but was still able to make a good race and take some more points”.

Yvan Muller (3rd / 3rd) “It’s a good week-end with regard to the championship, both for the team and for myself, especially considering my qualifying wasn’t that great. In race 1, despite starting from seventh, I finished third, which is good for the championship, considering also that Tarquini scored no points. I took a good start and was sixth at the end of lap 1, then passed a couple of SEATs and inherited a podium finish when Rob had to stop. In race 2, I had a scary moment when I got squeezed between Monteiro and Farfus. My car was lifted up but luckily, nothing bad happened and in the race I could climb a few positions to take another third. Now Priaulx is my closest rival in the standings, but Tarquini shouldn’t be forgotten. It’s going to be a tough fight and we need to stay completely focused on our objectives”.

Rob Huff (18th / 7th) :  "Not my best week-end, for sure, and it is unfortunate because I felt both the car and myself had a very strong pace. At the start of race 1, Farfus accelerated very early then braked earlier at turn 1, provoking that all drivers behind him bumped into each other and me on him., but I emerged from the first couple of corners in first position. I was followed by Alain and everything seemed OK, but then I was given the drive-through for the contact at turn 1, which I think it’s unfair, as that was not more than a race incident. I stayed on the track while the team was discussing with the race direction, but the lap time-frame elapsed and I was black-flagged. In race 2, starting from the back, it was difficult to climb positions amid the traffic, especially here where overtaking is not easy. Still, I managed to finish seventh and took a few points”.   

Eric Nève: “Another great week-end for the team and this one is particularly rewarding for two reasons. First, this is our first victory at Oschersleben, a track that has always been very difficult for front-wheel drive cars and is the home of our German competitor. Second, after the 5-week break in racing activity, we have proven we haven’t lost the momentum and the good form. It is very important to start the last and decisive stint of the season keeping the same level of performance and motivation”.

OSCHERSLEBEN RACE 1 RESULTS

1. A Menu                   Chevrolet Cruze                    14 laps in 22m50s427

2. A Farfus                  BMW 320si                             + 0s491

3. Y Muller                  Chevrolet Cruze                    + 4s738

4. T Coronel                SEAT León TDI                      + 6s835

5. T Monteiro               SEAT León TDI                      + 7s428

18. R Huff                   Chevrolet Cruze                    10 laps (Black flag)

OSCHERSLEBEN RACE 2 RESULTS

1. A Priaulx                 BMW 320si                             14 laps in 22m51s499

2. A Farfus                  BMW 320si                             + 2s729

5. Y Muller                  Chevrolet Cruze                    +0s837

4. M Nykjaer               SEAT León TDI                      +10s304

5. T Coronel                SEAR León TDI                      +10s982

7. R Huff                     Chevrolet Cruze                    +16s691

8. A Menu                   Chevrolet Cruze                    +17s243

DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 16 OF 24

1. Y Muller (Chevrolet), 229 points; 2. A Priaulx (BMW), 216 ; 3. G Tarquini (SEAT), 196; 4. R Huff (Chevrolet), 173 ; 5. A Menu (Chevrolet), 145; 6. A Farfus (BMW), 145 ; ...19. L Pernía (Chevrolet), 1.

MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 16 OF 24

1. Chevrolet, 508 points; 2. BMW, 451; 3. SEAT, 449.