Valencia: Qualifying quotes

ROUNDS 17 & 18 QUALIFYING QUOTES

Augusto FARFUS N.technology, pole position
"I am still fighting for the title and tomorrow's target is to score points to keep the championship open. Gené started behind me in Curitiba where I had pole and I remember he was very strong so I am going to try to manage the race as best I can. We knew at the start of the season it would be a difficult journey this year because our car is the oldest in the field. However, the 156 remains strong and the team is very good. Our car was dominant here in 2004 and it feels even better this year so the team has done a great job."

Jordi GENÉ SEAT Sport España, 2nd fastest
"Am I disappointed? No. I am actually happy to be on the front row. I would have liked to get pole for SEAT and myself at our home race but I decided to save my tyres. I knew that by doing this pole position was at risk but I was thinking of the races which I am optimistic about. I wish I was fighting for the championship but I have had an `up and down' season. You just have to make use of a good weekend which is what I intend to do."

Salvatore TAVANO N.technology, 3rd fastest
"The car is very fast and has great balance so it feels good and I am happy with 3rd place. I had small problem with my last set of tyres but it was nothing too serious. This season is my first in the WTCC and I wanted to use it to learn. However, after winning in Puebla I know I can regularly be towards the front of the grid."

Alain MENU Chevrolet, 4th fastest
"After the first free practice I wasn't very happy with the car and I didn't drive it very well either. In free practice 2 we improved it and then in qualifying we changed the set-up a few times and I had more confidence to push. It's very good for myself and Chevrolet."

Tom CORONEL GR Asia, 5th fastest
"I am extremely pleased with 5th and a bit surprised to be so high. In free practice I saw that had a chance to do well but there is a high speed chicane and it can really damage your car after a few laps. This is what happened to me as I broke my left front shock absorber. It was ok for qualifying so after I had posted a solid lap I pushed hard on the next one and took a few more risks which placed me 5th."

James THOMPSON SEAT Sport UK, 7th fastest
"I'm slightly disappointed with 7th to be honest because I made a mistake on sector 3 of my fastest lap. When I went out to do another run at the end the yellow flags came out in that sector and I couldn't get any better while my tyres were fresh. I think if things had been different we could have got onto the front two rows. At least I am in the top eight and in point-scoring position. A pair of 4 points would be fantastic to close the gap on the leaders."

Jörg MÜLLER BMW Team Germany, 9th fastest
"I'm quite happy to be the best placed of the BMW drivers in a qualifying session that was very close. Being where I am on the grid means I have a good chance to score some points in both of the races tomorrow."

-credit: fia wtcc