WTCC: Conclusive tests for Seat

Seat's withdrawal from the WTCC seemed, at the start of last season, firm and definitive. To the point that the 1,6 liter turbo engine seen on the Seat Leon was not developed by the manufacturer, but by Sunred which rebadged the car Sunred SR Leon. Since September 2011, however, things have changed. In his back-to-school speech, the manufacturer's big boss admitted that motorsport had to be included in Seat's communications plans. And the WTCC, which has always been the appropriate showcase, has been brought up to date. While waiting to know if a new car will be under study in anticipation of 2013, Seat Sport has already developed an engine and given a facelift to the aging Leon.

This evolution of the car was to hit the track for the first time last Monday on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Alas, a technical problem, it seems, pushed back its debut by a day. Tuesday February 6, the program finally started and Jordi Gené was the first to take the wheel, Gabriele Tarquini having been held up in Brazil due to weather conditions in Europe, which delayed his return. Throughout the day, dedicated to engine and map adjustments, the Seat ran like clockwork and encountered no mechanical problems. “ I am very satisfied with the work accomplished, confided the Spanish pilot. We encountered no problems and the team focused on adapting the operation of the engine to the circuit. I think it has good potential for future developments. » Seat will return to Valencia next week, this time with Tarquini at the wheel.