Drivers expect cautious set-ups after Salzburg disaster

Just two weeks after the Salzburgring and the eight punctures in the second race which spoiled the results of many drivers, especially the Chevrolet trio, many drivers admit there’s likely to be a more conservative approach tomorrow at Portimão.

Pole sitter Gabriele Tarquini and second place Yvan Muller both suffered punctures at Salzburgring, and in the warm sun in Portugal and with the equally long Turn 16 a tyre-killing rival for Salzburg’s Turn 9, the two drivers expect to run a more conservative set-up on race day, though Tarquini’s may be slightly less conservative than Championship leader Yvan Muller’s.

“Maybe I can risk a little bit more than Yvan because I’m not playing for the Championship, it depends how much you want to risk,” said Tarquini. “I tried in Free Practice 2 to do a small long run, about eight laps without any problems on a long run set-up and I’m sure the Chevy will also be different from qualifying.”

Chevrolet driver Yvan Muller added:
“After the Salzburg issue we are obliged to do something. We will be conservative on the tyres,” he stated. “It’s the same tyre as at Salzburg, so we have to find the set-up. Especially after two years ago (at Portimão) a few cars had issues, like Rob Huff, so we have to take care,” referring to Huff’s puncture in race one in 2010.