Macu GP: Yokohama preview

WTCC WORK CONTINUES POST-MACAU FOR YOKOHAMA

The FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) heads to Macau for the 2010 season finale on 21 November 2010. And what a season closer it's set to be! With 37 points separating current standings leader Yvan Muller from BMW driver Andy Priaulx, the competition will be fierce. The season will then be over for the Chevrolet, BMW and SEAT-equipped teams, but one team that won't cease over winter is YOKOHAMA.

YOKOHAMA launched a new eco-racing tyre earlier this year, which has proved to be extremely successful within the series, with great feedback received from the competing drivers. "The developments to make the tyre more eco-friendly have been very fruitful, as not only is the tyre more socially acceptable, but also works more effectively," said YOKOHAMA's Technical Consultant Ian Beveridge.

When asked about the new YOKOHAMA rubber, current YOKOHAMA Independents' Trophy leader, Scuderia Proteam Motorsport driver Sergio Hernandez, commented: "The new tyres provide better grip that you can really feel. Every brand has to improve all elements to be more eco-friendly and this is a great move by YOKOHAMA."

Macau will be the final test for the new WTCC tyres, which have now successfully completed events at all other locations on the calendar. "Macau is the flattest of the WTCC circuits," said YOKOHAMA Technical Department Manager Susumu Watanabe. "It's repaired annually so we have to check the surface every year by slowly walking around the track, and as it's a road circuit, this can be quite dangerous for our engineers! We are a dedicated team though, and ensure that the checks are thorough so that we can provide the best advice to teams for a great end to the season! As well as the WTCC, we will also supply tyres for the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, so it will be an especially busy weekend for YOKOHAMA."

Although only the first of three seasons on the new tyre will come to an end following Macau, YOKOHAMA's work will not be over. The team is constantly looking to better the tyres' performance and developments have already begun on the next WTCC tyre. "We have already started to plan, produce and test improved tyres for the WTCC," added Watanabe. "During winter we don't notice a lot of difference in our schedules, except having a little more time in the office: development is continuous."

Coverage of the Macau event will begin on Friday 19 November with live Qualifying on Eurosport at 08:45 (CET). Race day coverage starts with Warm-Up at 01:00 (CET) on Sunday 21 November 2010, followed by round 21 at 04:45 (CET), and the final round of 2010 at 05:45 (CET), all on Eurosport.

Macau track facts
Circuit length: 6,117 metres
Number of laps: 2 x 9
Race distance: 55 kilometres

-source: yokohama