
News Archive »Augusto Farfus and Jörg Müller claimed a 1-2 for BMW, but the laurels went to SEAT. Gabriele Tarquini was crowned the new world champion. Despite Yvan Muller finishing third in the race Tarquini took fifth and stretched his overall point lead to six, taking the title from his team-mate. Thanks to their results and to those of Jordi Gené and Tiago Monteiro, SEAT managed to retain the Manufacturers’ Championship.
The race ended prematurely after a massive crash involving Félix Porteiro, Franz Engstler and André Couto at the end of lap eight. Because the final results took into consideration the lap before the suspension, Porteiro won the Independents’ race anyway. There was also a safety car spell for four laps, mid-way into the race, after Tom Boardman crashed on the way to Moorish Hill involving Tom Coronel.
Larini’s last WTCC race came to an end after he was hit by Zanardi coming into Lisboa bend on lap eight.
Man of the race
Gabriele Tarquini – the oldest FIA world champion ever. His track record at Macau is one tarnished with accidents but this year he kept his head when it counted and had two faultless races. As a family man with a smile for everyone in the paddock Tarquini will be a popular champion. A mention should also go to his team who worked tirelessly on the damaged car after qualifying to make his dream a reality.
Key moment
The crash involving Porteiro, Engstler and Couto spelt the end of the season. Porteiro went off at ‘R’ bend, bounced into the racing line and was smashed into by Engstler. Seconds later Couto added to the carnage by hitting Engstler’s car. With three laps left of battle there is no knowing what could have been. And as demonstrated this weekend – you never know what the next corner of Macau will bring.
Withdrawals
T.Coronel: race incident; K. Poulsen: race incident; T. Boardman: race incident.