Yves Matton, Team Principal, Citroën Racing: “Seb got off to an exceptional start and that’s what earned him his second win of the season. Pechito didn’t take any risks, knowing that second place would still stand him in good stead in the championship. Yvan’s chances, however, evaporated at the start. The rain had become heavier and heavier and the race could not reasonably continue, so the race officials did the right thing. The decision to cancel race two was also understandable. We saw all afternoon how hard the track was to drive on, and a race contested in those conditions wouldn’t have been much of a sporting spectacle.”
Sébastien Loeb: “Pechito was very strong from the start of the weekend and I didn’t think I would be able to beat him! I got off to an excellent start and was leading by the first corner. As I had the best visibility, I was able to attack to open up a bit of a gap. Then the rain got heavier and it became very dangerous. The grip was changing hugely from one lap to the next and drivers were aquaplaning almost everywhere. It was a good decision to bring out the safety car – I was even struggling to keep up with it – and then to stop the race. This win gives me valuable points and a boost to my confidence after a difficult weekend at the Hungaroring.”
José-María López: “I didn’t get a good start. It’s really been a weakness for me all season, and I have to keep working hard to improve. But in those conditions, second place was a good result. I tried to attack to keep up the pressure on Seb, but I had trouble anticipating the aquaplaning because I couldn’t see where the big puddles were. I think the race had to be stopped. It was impossible to drive in those conditions.”
Yvan Muller: “I made a mistake at the start. My car moved forward a metre, then I stopped, before setting off again when the red lights went out. I knew I was going to get a drive-through, and I didn’t attack until I received the penalty. I rejoined the pack and managed to gain a few places and pick up a point. The officials made the right decision in stopping the first race and cancelling the second one.”
STANDINGS
RACE 1
1. Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C-Elysée WTCC)
2. José-María López (Citroën C-Elysée WTCC) +1’’105
3. Norbert Michelisz (Honda Civic WTCC) +2’’435
4. Tom Coronel (Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1) +4’’081
5. Tom Chilton (Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1) +5’’205
6. Gianni Morbidelli (Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1) +6’’026
7. Tiago Monteiro (Honda Civic WTCC) +6’’960
8. Gabriele Tarquini (Honda Civic WTCC) +7’’410
9. Rob Huff (Lada Granta 1.6T) +8’’359
10. Yvan Muller (Citroën C-Elysée WTCC) +9’’457
Fastest lap: Sébastien Loeb (2’18’’193)
RACE 2
Cancelled
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: DRIVER STANDINGS
1. José-María López: 138 points
2. Sébastien Loeb: 113 pts
3. Yvan Muller: 109 pts
4. Tiago Monteiro: 71 pts
5. Gabriele Tarquini: 52 pts