SEAT wraps up the World Touring Car Championship in Macau with a new world title
- After winning the manufacturers’ title in Japan, only two SEAT drivers can vie for the drivers’ title
- The team’s objective is also to clinch the first three positions in the general standings
- Macau’s urban track concludes an extraordinary season for SEAT and the SEAT Sport team
After winning the World Manufacturers’ Championship at the second last WTCC meeting held in Japan, SEAT Sport is going into the last season meeting on the Macau track with two team drivers vying for the championship title, and third place in the general standings is also at stake. Yvan Muller, Gabriele Tarquini and Rickard Rydell could achieve a historic hat-trick for SEAT to crown off the other two world championships already won.
Macau is the season’s second urban track, where this time the SEAT drivers will not be liable to the team’s orders in recognition of the excellent work carried out throughout the entire season. However, the team’s objective is to consolidate Rydell’s third place and wind up the championship with the best possible result in order to celebrate the successful performance of the SEAT León TDI.
The three SEAT drivers and their rivals from Chevrolet and BMW will be racing with the maximum ballast load of 70 kg, while Jordi Gené and Tiago Monteiro’s SEAT Leóns will be a little lighter. Tom Coronel’s SEAT León WTCC will be weighed down with 65 kg due to his spectacular victory in Japan, which gave SEAT the wins with both petrol and diesel engine versions.
What the experts say
Gabriele Tarquini: ‘This situation is one which SEAT has been dreaming about since the beginning of the season, with two of our drivers competing for the world title after winning the manufacturers’ championship, so it’s a great moment for us. But on the other hand we have to be realistic, since Muller’s point spread is considerable and I have a 10% chance of winning. But anything can happen at such a special, complicated race such as Macau. Whatever does happen, whether I win or not, this has been a magnificent season for me.’
Yvan Muller: ‘The truth is this situation isn’t new for me. Years ago, when I was racing at the British touring car championship, I had to race against my team mates Plato and Thompson. The big difference is that this time I’ll be competing for the world title on the demanding Macau urban track where it’s easy to make mistakes. No doubt the battle will be hard-fought.’
Jaime Puig, SEAT Sport director: ‘We’ve achieved both of our objectives, since SEAT is the world manufacturers’ champion and one of our drivers will be world champion. For this reason, Muller and Tarquini are absolutely free to compete in Macau as they see fit, but with the highest level of sportsmanship, which we at SEAT always ask of our drivers. I’m sure it’ll be a magnificent race and the rest of the team will be collaborating so that either Rydell or Gené make it to third place in the world championship’.
General Standings
Drivers: 1. Y.Muller (SEAT), 100 puntos. 2. G.Tarquini (SEAT), 86. 3. R.Huff (Chevrolet), 73. 4. R.Rydell (SEAT), 72. 5. A.Priaulx (BMW), 67. 6. J.Muller (BMW), 60. 8. J.Gené (SEAT), 53.
12. T.Monteiro (SEAT), 43. 13: T.Coronel (SEAT), 35. Manufacturers: 1. SEAT 304. 2. BMW, 251. 3.Chevrolet, 211. 4. Honda 55.
Career highlights of Yvan Muller (Illzach; France 16.8.1969):
2007: 2nd WTCC (2 victories, Oschersleben and Monza, SEAT León TDI WTCC). 2006: 4th WTCC, 1 victory (SEAT León, Brands Hatch). 2005: 2nd British Touring Car Championship. 2004: 2nd British Touring Car Championship. 2003: British Touring Car Championship winner. 2002: 2nd British Touring Car Championship. 2001: 2nd British Touring Car Championship. 2000: 4th British Touring Car Championship. 1999: 6th British Touring Car Championship. 1995: French Touring Car Champion. 1994: 2nd French Touring Car Championship. 1992: Great Britain F2 winner. 1989: 3rd French F3 Championship. 1980 – 1986: karting. 1996 – 2005: 9 time Trophée Andros winner
Career highlights of Gabriele Tarquini (Giulianova; Italy 2.3.1962):
2007: 8th WTCC (1 victory, Zandvoort). 2006: 5th WTCC, 1 victory (SEAT León, Istanbul)
2005: 7th World Touring Car Championship. 2004: 3rd European Touring Car Championship. 2003: 1st European Touring Car Championship. 2002: European Touring Car Championship. 2001: 3rd European Super Touring Car Championship. 2000: 6th British Touring Car Championship. 1996: Intercontinental Touring Car Championship. 1995: British Touring Car Championship and German DTM . 1994: British Touring Car Championship winner. 1993: 3rd Italian Touring Car Championship. 1987 – 1992: F1 World Championship. 1985: 5th European F3 Cham
Schedule:
Friday, 14th november
8.45 – 9.15: Free practice 1 (1.45 CET)
12.15 – 12.45: Free practice 2 (5.15 CET)
15.50 – 16.35: Qualifying practice (8.50 CET)
Sunday, 16th november
7.50 – 8.05: Warm-up (0.50 CET)
12.05: Race 1 (9 laps. Rolling start) (5.05 CET) Live in Eurosport
13.25: Race 2 (9 laps. Standing start) (6.25 CET) Live in Eurosport
Previous results
Qualifying (2007): 2’31’209, Alain Menu (Chevrolet). Fastest lap (2007): 2’32’517, Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT León TDI). Latest winners (2007): Alain Menu (Chevrolet), Andy Priaulx (BMW).
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