Muller takes charge of the championship in Spain

2008 and 2010 World Touring Car Champion Yvan Muller has taken a 16 point lead of the championship in Valencia, and become the first driver to repeat a ‘double victory’ in a race weekend.

Muller’s win in race one with Rob Huff finishing in fifth after the incident with Menu and Monteiro at the start saw the 42-year-old Frenchman stretch out a nine point lead, further extending that after leading Huff across the finish line after clashes with the BMWs ahead handed the Chevrolet team the advantage.

In the first race, Muller lost the lead at the start to former SEAT team-mate Gabriele Tarquini, but took back the position on lap four and held on to take victory.

“I had to pass Gabriele and then to manage my tyres because in this temperature it was very difficult especially on my rear-left tyre as I had a lot of lock-up, so my rear tyre was on the metal, there was no rubber anymore,” said Muller.

“(In race two) my rhythm was not fast enough to catch the BMWs, but it was fast enough to follow them. When I saw Tom (Coronel) was struggling a bit and (Javier) Villa was catching him I thought okay, at that point something will happen probably. I did my best to stay in contact and to use the opportunity and fortunately for me and unfortunately for them it happened.”

Muller now leads Rob Huff in the championship standings by 16 points with Alain Menu 80 points behind. Tom Coronel is in fourth, one point ahead of Tarquini but 175 points adrift with 150 remaining meaning the drivers’ championship is now officially an all Chevrolet affair.