SEAT complete repairs for Yvan & Gabriele

SEAT have completed repairs on the León TDI’s of Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini, and escape penalty due to force majeure regulation.

This means they will be able to start 7th and 8th on the grid tomorrow for the WTCC season finale at Macau.

SEAT Technical Director Benoît Bagur said:
“Gabriele’s car was not so bad. It was a head-on impact and we are used to it. On the other hand, Yvan’s car had suffered more substantial damage, especially at the rear. We had to take out the roll cage to repair the chassis. But in the end both cars are like new now”.

Gabriele Tarquini required an engine change, but will not face a grid penalty, as the damage was caused in a crash, as opposed to technical failure. This in in accordance with article 74 of the WTCC Sporting Regulations, which states:

In the event of an accident, the changing of certain damaged engine parts, or of the entire engine in the case of irreparable damage, may be requested.

The request must be made in writing, addressed to the Stewards, and given to the FIA Technical Delegate or, in his absence, to the chief scrutineer, who will forward it to the Stewards, together with a note recording the damage and confirming the marking and identification of the replacement engine, for decision.

If the Stewards approve the requested change and consider that the reason for that change constitutes a case of “force majeure”, no penalty will be imposed on the competitor.