Photo: PSP Images

Yvan Muller can take championship lead in Spain

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Yvan Muller can take the championship lead away from Rob Huff for the first time this season with a good result in Spain, where Chevrolet haven’t won since 2008.

2008 and 2010 World Touring Car Champion Yvan Muller is now just six points behind Huff in the points standings, and with seven points the difference between first and second place, even a 1-2 result for the Chevrolet pair could see the Frenchman take the championship lead after the first round on Sunday.

Muller’s last win at Valencia was back in 2009 with the SEAT León TDI, where he finished ahead of Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini to secure a 1-2-3 result for the team at their home track. This was in fact the last time in the WTCC that SEAT achieved a podium lock-out.

The previous year, Rob Huff took his only win at the Spanish circuit with the Chevrolet Lacetti, passing the three SEAT León TDIs of Muller, Gabriele Tarquini and Jordi Gené to take what was then only his third career victory in the WTCC. Whilst his total is now up to 16, the British driver is still chasing his first win since Porto in early July, and indeed his first pole position since Monza in May.

“Any race is now key with regard to the championship and I am looking forward to be in the battle again!” said Huff.

“I certainly enjoy Valencia and we had some good results there in the past, although it’s not an easy track for front wheel drive cars and the surface is very abrasive. The key will be to find a
good set up for the races.”

Yvan Muller has now won four of the last seven races, with three poles in the last four meetings and will be aiming to take the points lead with Huff’s enjoyed all season away in Spain.

“Valencia is a great circuit, especially for spectators, who can see the entire lap from any of the grandstands,” said Muller.

“I like it, although it is always challenging, especially for front wheel drive cars, as front tyres are under extraordinary constraints, especially with warm weather, which is often the case there at this time of the year.”