SEAT aims to keep lead after Brno

The WTCC heads on to the Czech circuit Brno. SEAT are currently heading the championship with three drivers. The goal for Brno is to continue on top, but the team has struggled at this track previously.
“Historically Brno has been the championship’s most difficult venue, and in fact we’ve never won there. Of the last 10 races, BMW has won 7, and with a landslide victory last year,” said Xavi Serra, SEAT Sport Chief Track Engineer.

“The difference this year is that we’re racing with the TDI, although it’s laden with ballast thanks to our success until now. That’ll surely help us on the slopes, with a 60 metre difference between both ends of the track, but the long curves cause the front wheel drive cars to greatly understeer, so those curves will be beneficial to the BMWs.”

The SEAT Sport drivers know that Brno will be especially difficult, both for the track’s layout and its new tarmac. Gabriele Tarquini says “Brno is a BMW circuit, so the weight, the new asphalt and maybe the weather conditions are going to be decisive factors against us.

Yvan Muller shares this opinion, for whom “the track isn’t suited to front-wheel drive cars. Besides, this time I’m driving one of the heaviest cars in the grid. However, we might have a chance of getting good results with the new asphalt.”

Jordi Gené thinks “the Brno track is one of the nicest of the championship, and I’ve always done well there. Despite all the limitations being placed on SEAT, we’re holding off successfully, and I hope Brno won’t be an exception.”

SEAT Sport’s other two drivers can’t wait for the next race. Rickard Rydell likes “the track a lot, and although it’s a BMW circuit, I’m sure we’ll finish with good results. I hope to keep scoring points.” Tiago Monteiro feels the same way, stating that “after two weekends without scoring, I hope to race well this weekend. I’m highly motivated to break this losing streak.”