Race report

WTCC

Sebastien Loeb needed despite the deluge

Fallen throughout the day on the Slovakia Ring, rain disrupted the 7th and 8th rounds of the FIA WTCC.

Published: May 11, 2014, 7:42 PM

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Sébastien Loeb, Citroen C-Elysee WTCC, Citroen Total WTCC

Unlike qualifications which were held under a bright sun, races Slovakia Ring lay ahead particularly wet. By mid-morning, large showers détrempaient track. The mechanics of the Citroen Total team therefore adapted settings C-Elysée WTCC for the first confrontation, which began at 13:15.

Placed in pole position, José María López missed his flight, unlike Sébastien Loeb veered head. López narrowly retained the second position before Norbert Michelisz. Too delicate to red lights, Yvan Muller was fourth. Then it was shown a drive-through penalty, his Citroen having moved before departure.

Enjoying visibility, Sébastien Loeb was able to take a step ahead of José María López. After completing his penalty, Yvan Muller returned to the track in 14th place. He hosted the pack overflowing turn Borkovic, Bennani, Munnich and Valente.

This brilliant ascent was stopped by the emergence of the safety car. The amount of water on the circuit becomes too high, officials decided to suspend the race was red flagged after nine rounds eleven planned. More than 75% of the distance has been traveled, all of the points were awarded.

Despite a lull in the rain started up again in the late afternoon. Scheduled at 17:45, the second round was canceled a few minutes of departure.

Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal: "Seb has achieved an exceptional departure and this is what allowed him to win his second victory of the season. For its part, Pechito did not take risks, because he knew that second place was still a good result for the championship. However, the chances of Yvan flew from the start. The rain intensified beyond reasonable race management acted in the best way. The cancellation of the second round also stemmed from a certain logic. We have seen throughout the afternoon the track was impassable, and a disputed race in these conditions would not have been a real sporting value. "

Sebastien Loeb: "Pechito was very strong since the beginning of the weekend and I do not think I could beat him! I got a great start and I could spend the first corner ahead. As I had the best visibility I attacked to dig a small gap. Then the rain increased and it became very dangerous. On one tower to another, adhesion changed a lot and there was hydroplaning on almost every circuit. It was a good decision to make the safety car out - I find it difficult to catch up - then stop running. This victory gives me good points and confidence after a difficult weekend at the Hungaroring. "

José María López: "I have not had a good start, it really is my weak point since the beginning of the season and I have to keep working to improve. But second place gained in difficult conditions for me. I tried to push to keep the pressure on Seb, but I had difficulty predicting hydroplaning because I could not see where the big puddles were. I also think it had to stop the race, it was impossible to steer well. "

Yvan Muller: "I made a mistake in my starting procedure, the car moved one meter, then I stopped before I jump to the red lights. I knew I was going to scoop a drive-through and I was not attacking until I receive this penalty. I got back in traffic and I won a few places to snatch a point. The officials made the right decision in stopping the run, and then canceling the second round. "

RACE 1

1. Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C-Elysée WTCC)
2. José María López (Citroën C-Elysée WTCC) +1' '105
3. Nobert Michelisz (Honda Civic WTCC) +2 '435
4. Coronel (RML Chevrolet Cruze TC1) +4' '081
5 Tom Chilton (RML Chevrolet Cruze TC1) +5' '205.
6. Gianni Morbidelli (RML Chevrolet Cruze TC1) +6' '026
7 Tiago Monteiro (Honda Civic WTCC) +6' '960.
8. Gabriele Tarquini (WTCC Honda Civic) +7' '410
9. Rob Huff (Lada Granta 1.6T) +8' '359
10. Yvan Muller (Citroën C-Elysée WTCC) +9' '457
MT: Sébastien Loeb 2'18'' 193

RACE 2
Canceled

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS

1. José María López 138 pts 2. Sébastien Loeb 113 pts 3. Yvan Muller 109 pts

4. Tiago Monteiro 71 pts Gabriele Tarquini 52 pts 5.

MANUFACTURERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Citroën Total 323 pts
2. Honda 204 pts
3. Lada 131 pts

Citroen Racing

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