Advantage Seat in Puebla

The WTCC world championship continues its route across the American continent and this time stops at Puebla in Mexico, where the next event will take place this weekend.

Published on 20/03/2009 à 18:03

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After a first event in Brazil, which saw the Seats outrageously dominate the competition by twice achieving an impressive quadruplet, the entire field is now heading a little further north, for the second round of the WTCC world championship.

The Mexican route, which was very successful for the Leons last year, should once again prove more advantageous for the Seats since the latter's turbo diesel engines suffer much less than their petrol equivalents at high altitude. Because in fact, the circuit is located no less than 2300 meters above sea level.

The BMW drivers are also rather pessimistic about their chances of doing well in Puebla, as proven by the statements of Andy Priaulx of BMW Team UK: “I have no illusions, we are clearly not the favorites to finish ahead in Puebla this year. My objective is to score as many points as possible, I must try to finish in the top 10 in qualifying and hope not to suffer an accident in the two races. », declared the Englishman.

For his part, Jörg Müller is the only one to be a little more positive: “Personally, I am very happy with my start to the season in Brazil. I feel in great shape and I'm going to do my best once again. In the end, each point can prove decisive in the WTCC. »

We find a bit of the same story at Chevrolet, because even if the car seems rather efficient, Alain Menu considers that he will not be able to fight regularly with the Leons this season, unless the FIA revises its regulations once again. times.

“The changes made during the winter by the FIA are not enough. The intake flange of the diesel engines has been reduced, but in return the others must carry 30 kilos of ballast. », explained the Swiss.

“The 18 horses lost by Seat are equivalent to 0??4 or 0??5 lost per lap, which corresponds to the same deficit caused by the 30 additional kilos. So there is no difference in the end! It's ridiculous, we had proof of it in Curitiba. A priori, on paper there will therefore be five Seats ahead of the others in Puebla. As far as we are concerned, we are aiming for 6th place…”