Photo: WTCC Media

Alain Menu on top in final practice in China

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Alain Menu led an all Chevrolet top three in the final practice session ahead of qualifying at Shanghai. Team-mate Yvan Muller was second and Rob Huff third, with Tom Coronel fourth for BMW.

The times were much faster than had been so far this weekend, with both Menu and team-mate Yvan Muller breaking into the 1:55s, with Rob Huff just outside on a 1:56.349.

The three factory Chevrolet drivers exchanged times with all holding onto the top spot at some point in the session, but Menu’s turn came in the final five minutes.

“It’s a new track, so every time we go out we learn,” said Menu. “It’s not an easy track, there’s not any real fast corners, but it’s really technical and it’s really slippery.”

Tom Coronel was the fastest non-Chevrolet driver in fourth in the ROAL Motorsport BMW 320 TC, ahead of Norbert Michelisz who was the fastest independent driver for Zengõ Motorsport in fifth.

Gabriele Tarquini was fastest of the SEATs in sixth, just ahead of Tom Boardman in the Special Tuning Racing SEAT.

Colin Turkington, fastest in FP1, was eighth in FP2, 1.4 seconds down on Menu’s best lap, with the BMWs of Alberto Cerqui and Mehdi Bennani completing the top ten.

Hugo Valente was faster in this session than he has been so far this weekend in the SR León. The 20-year-old Frenchman wound up 14th fastest, just one spot ahead of the driver who formerly drove his car, Tiago Monteiro, who set the 15th fastest time in the Honda Civic.

Fredy Barth, who was forced to miss FP1 with an electrical problem, was able to take part in FP2 in the plain coloured SEAT León and was 17th fastest, 1.8 seconds down on Menu.

The two Fords struggled for pace, with James Nash just leading Tom Chilton in 21st and 22nd positions.

Eric Kwong was again the fastest of the normally aspirated cars in the Chevrolet Cruze LT, but Kin Veng Ng and Alex Liu were slower than the 107% time which means they’ll have to find more speed before qualifying, or will be forced to ask the stewards for permission to race tomorrow.

Qualifying takes place at 15:15 local time (CST).