Tarquini happy as a young man

Gabriele Tarquini, if he was not the most victorious of the season, was indeed the most consistent. Long hidden in the shadow of Yvan Muller, reigning world champion and WTCC leader from the first weekend of the season, the transalpine driver came out of the woods on September 6, at Oschersleben, taking over Yvan Muller, who burned more jokers than he had. Since then, Tarquini has been able to manage his lead and score the important points allowing him to acquire the world title.

« It was perhaps my last chance to be world champion and I took it, says Tarquini. This season was particularly difficult against excellent drivers like Yvan (Muller) and Augusto (Farfus). » The transalpine pilot recognizes that this title was acquired in a rather special way. While the race was stopped due to the spectacular clash between André Couto and Franz Engstler (watch in video), the race management decided that it would not restart. A decision unknown to the main person concerned, who was isolated in his Seat Leon TDi.

« I became champion without knowing it: the team smiled and shouted but I didn?t have a radio. I only realized afterwards. I started the weekend with an accident (practice 2), which is not the best way to win a championship. But the mechanics were fantastic. They spent all night and all day rebuilding the car. And she was even better than before. I just want to say thank you to this team who are truly incredible. »

A team also praised by Yvan Muller, vice-world champion. The Frenchman, still able to take the title at the start of the last race of the season, did not see enough cars between his Leon and that of Tarquini to catch the Italian. “ Today, I gave the best of myself, as I have done throughout the season, but unfortunately it was not enough. And since it's not me who is champion, I'm happy that it's Gabriele. He is a friend and a great world champion. The season was difficult and we really had to pull out our guts, but the result is there and the contract fulfilled with this second world crown for Seat and this drivers' double. This proves the competitiveness of the León TDI and the drivers. »

But Seat is already almost ancient history for Yvan Muller, who confirmed that?he will drive for Chevrolet during the next WTCC season. The Frenchman will then try to recover a world crown that he let slip away this year, by marking time mid-season. As for Seat, a decision is expected in the coming days to know whether the manufacturer continues its involvement in the WTCC.