WTCC Monza season opener excites the crowds in Italy

World Champion starts season on a winning note

The season opener at the World Touring Car Championship started with the Race of Italy, at Monza over the past weekend and defending Champion Yvan Muller achieved his 22nd win in his career.  Muller who had to work hard initially with a very strong Tarquini who had led the pack from Pole position, did not wait long before overtaking the Italian veteran at the first opportunity.  Tarquini promises to be a handful for all competitors throughout the season with his experience and a car that performed well, against the odds.  After the race Tarquini commented his team had worked hard to change the engine overnight and added "it was almost a good car to drive, though it was impossible to keep the leading position against the Chevrolet."

For his part, Muller, expressed satisfaction at being able to come away with two wins from both races and explained he had managed to look after the tyres well, even with the longer distance in the new championship and that it was the best way to start the season.

Rob Huff, runner up last year, also managed to get in the podium in both races and is once again a clear contender for the Championship.  Another veteran Tom Coronel also displayed his exciting and aggressive driving style and it seems this year he has the power in the car that may bring him some victories and indeed snatch many points from the top contenders which include former Champion Alain Menu, and could be vital to decide the winner at the end of the season.

For the Yokohama Trophy, the stakes are high and three drivers are currently leading with 14 points each, D’aste, Oriola and Macdowall.

Earlier on during the weekend, the drivers were out and about the paddock and Portuguese driver Thiago Monteiro, took the opportunity to visit the YOKOHAMA hospitality and greet some of the Portuguese guests who had joined the excitement of WTCC at Monza.

For the first time too, the FIA ETCC European Touring Car Championship of which YOKOHAMA is also the official Tyre partner, also took place in Monza, and was won by the Spaniard Fernando Monje who now leads the table.

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