J.Müller ahead of Thompson at Monza

With a last stunning lap in the afternoon BMW Team Germany’s Jörg Müller clocked a 1:59.911 that was by far the fastest time in the FIA WTCC official test at Monza, ousting James Thompson from the top of the time sheet. Alfa Romeo returned competitive on their home racetrack as Thompson and his N.technology Alfa 156 cars led the classification for most of the day thanks to a lap of 2:00.412 set during the morning session. “Our car is still very quick in spite of its age. We have to work a lot in order to be consistently competitive, but the team and I are very motivated and I believe that on the fast circuits we have good odds,” Thompson said.

Andy Priaulx of BMW Team UK posted the third fastest lap, only 0.015 seconds behind his fellow countryman, after he had managed to temporarily oust him from the top, with Müller’s team-mate Augusto Farfus in fourth position.

Gabriele Tarquini emerged as the fastest of SEAT drivers, posting the fifth best time of the day, just ahead of BMW Team Italy-Spain’s Félix Porteiro, the last one to go under the 2:01 mark. At Chevrolet, Alain Menu set the 7th best lap.

In the afternoon session Tiago Monteiro was replaced by Oscar Nogués, the winner of the 2006 SEAT Supercópa who will take part in the FIA WTCC event at Monza in October with the SEAT Sport team.