Photo: WTCC Media

Menu fastest in FP2, with Tarquini still in tow at Monza

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Alain Menu lead the way in the second free practice session at Monza, though SEAT’s new engine showed even more promise with Gabriele Tarquini, Pepe Oriola and Aleksei Dudukalo all in the top six.

Menu’s best lap was over half a second faster than second placed Tarquini and Chevrolet team-mate Rob Huff, who was third quickest.

Pepe Oriola was the fastest independent in fourth, with reigning champion Yvan Muller fifth fastest, just ahead of the second Lukoil Racing SEAT of Aleksei Dudukalo.

Alex MacDowall was the quickest of the new WTCC drivers in seventh, despite a slight scare coming out of the second Lesmo corner whilst towing behind Chevrolet Motorsport Sweden’s Rickard Rydell. Rydell’s best time was good enough for 13th in the session.

Tom Chilton received a black and white flag for cutting the corner at Variante Della Roggia late in the session. The Arena Ford Focus driver was 19th fastest, whilst team-mate Nash was just outside the top ten in 11th.

The next session is the new format qualifying session which takes place at 14:30 CET.