Race Preview: WTCC first time for Estoril

The FIA WTCC returns this weekend to Estoril at the Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva. Estoril, in Portugal located near Cascais will see 26 laps of action over 4.4km per lap.

Previously at Estoril
In 2007 the WTCC did not visit Estoril in Portugal, instead it was Porto that hosted the Portugal round and it was the Chevrolet and BMW teams that came out top in race 1 and race 2 respectively. Estoril is a known circuit however with a number of other series paying regular visits.

The season so far
Gabriele Tarquini is currently leading the pack with 58 points. He took an all important win at Brno to end BMW’s domination at the Czech track. Yvan Muller sits in second with 43 points. Rickard Rydell sits third on 37 points.

Quotes prior to the race
Rob Huff – Chevrolet
“I’m very much looking forward to going to Estoril, it’s a fantastic track, with lots of history to it, and I hope that by the end of the weekend I will have added some history to it on behalf of Chevrolet. The track is unique in that it doesn’t really compare to any other circuit. It’s not easy, with lots of everything, we have already tested there in winter so it won’t be completely new to us. During the test our Chevrolet Lacetti seemed to suit the track. With only 27 kilos of success ballast I will be one of the lightest cars around, and with the number of heavy cars on the grid increasing by the race we could spring a very good result there. Of course, I’m gutted by the fact that I’ve lost six points in Brno, but I’m confident that I can win those back in Portugal and even bring home some more. We’re now in sixth but I hope we can leave Estoril in fourth in the standings”

Alain Menu – Chevrolet
“Like Rob and Nic I’m looking forward to Estoril very much. We’ve just had a very good official group test at Monza, where we once again confirmed that we’re right on the ball. I’ll be the heaviest of the three Chevrolets in Portugal, but I’ll still be carrying a lot less weight than some of the other frontrunners. At the last race in Brno, the track favored the rear-wheel drive cars and diesel cars. I still managed a podium finish, so I’m quite optimistic for next weekend’s races. There’s no reason why all three of us shouldn’t be fighting for at least a podium finish or two.”

Nicola Larini – Chevrolet
“Brno was such a difficult weekend for me I hope that I have spent there the entire allocation of bad luck for the year! On a more serious note, I really look forward to Estoril, a track that should suit the Lacettis well. In terms of success ballast, I will be lighter than most of our main competitors and I intend to make good use of this opportunity. Following the understeer problems my usual race car suffered in Valencia and Brno, the team has decided to have it completely checked. This means that in Portugal I will drive the spare car, this is the car I drove in Monza last week and is absolutely identical to the race cars. We tested in Estoril twice during the winter, in December on a dry track and in February in wet conditions. Although it was a different season and the car we used then did not have the full 2008 developments, the information and the parameters gathered at the time will be very useful for setting up the cars next weekend. I only have good memories of Estoril: the last time I raced there, in 2003, I was fastest in practice and in the race, so I hope I can be in the same kind of pace. For the rest, I think that if the current heat wave in Southern Europe continues, we are all going to have an additional rival to beat…”

Tiago Monteiro – SEAT
“this is an important race for me, and I feel even more motivated to win. The track, with its long curves is going to be a bit of a problem for our cars, especially due to the wear on the front tyres, but I trust all will go well. I want to score as many points as possible and of course make it to the podium.”

Andy Priaulx – BMW Team UK
“The circuit in Estoril is interesting. The proximity to the coast makes it so special. The area reminds me of my home in Guernsey. There too I enjoy being by the sea. I didn’t have a good weekend in Brno, but will certainly not give up, and will go on the attack again in Portugal.”

Jörg Müller – BMW Team Germany
“For me, it will primarily be a question of qualifying near the front in Estoril. As we proved in Brno, our performance in the race itself is up to scratch. I like the circuit, and was able to pick up a victory in the European Championship there in 2002. I want to take advantage of my relatively light car to make up ground again.”

Augusto Farfus – BMW Team Germany
“Over the last four races I have consistently picked up points and considerably improved my position in the World Championship. Hopefully it will continue in the vein in Estoril. The circuit is challenging and includes all kinds of turns. The tight hairpins should be particularly interesting.”

Félix Porteiro – BMW Team Italy-Spain
“I made my race debut for BMW Team Italy-Spain in the 2006 European Touring Car Cup at Estoril. I also won my first race in Formula 3 there and tasted victory in the Renault World Series, so I like the circuit. I am looking forward to seeing what I can achieve there in a touring car with the experience I have gained from 32 races.”

Alessandro Zanardi – BMW Team Italy-Spain
“I am very pleased that Estoril is on the race calendar. I really like this circuit. It is supposedly not too difficult to overtake there. This means that the fans are guaranteed to see a lot of action. I also really like the surroundings and the city.”

Schedule
10.30 – Warm Up
14.20 – Race 1
18.20 – Race 2