Yvan Muller disappointed after incident with Monteiro in race two

RML’s Yvan Muller was disappointed with the end of his race weekend in Termas de Río Hondo, losing out on a chance to take a double victory after being given a drive through penalty following contact with Tiago Monteiro’s Honda on the third lap of the race.

The three-time champion had catapulted up from tenth on the grid to third by the end of lap two and was reeling in Castrol Honda Racing’s Tiago Monteiro and race leader José María López, when he made contact with the rear of Monteiro’s Honda into Turn 5 on the fifth lap which knocked the Portuguese driver into the gravel, which quickly earned the points leader a drive through penalty, from which he could only recover to 13th.

“Unfortunately I was in his tow, and just at the moment I wanted to go to the side, he braked,” said Muller to TouringCarTimes. “It was a small contact, but he braked too early, the telemetry will tell us. I was just very surprised to see him braking there, but it’s my fault, I should know it and go on the side mid-straight just to be sure, just at the moment I turned he braked and my front right touched his rear left.

“I am disappointed to have had contact, especially with Tiago, and I’m disappointed for the result of the second race for the lads, as it’s always better to have a trip back when everything is fine.”

Monteiro fell back to ninth place after he was able to get out of the gravel and recovered two more positions plus another after Muller’s penalty, and was disappointed after what could have been a strong second place result for the Honda driver.

“When I saw (Muller) was behind me I thought it was going to tough, and I knew he was going to pass one way or the other so I didn’t want to fight too much to destroy my tyres but of course I’m not going to stop to let him pass,” said Monteiro to TouringCarTimes.

“Therefore I chose my line on the straight, two times I went to the inside he tried out the outside and the second time he tried to go inside but there was no room, and when he moved back he put me out.

“I don’t think it’s deliberate and I don’t think it’s on purpose, but it’s just unfortunate as it destroyed both our races and it’s not necessary, he was six to eight tenths faster than us he can overtake us everywhere, it was only the fifth lap of the race, so I was frustrated for sure.”

On whether he believed he braked early for Turn 5, Monteiro disputed Muller’s view, saying:
“I braked at the same place. Of we course we brake earlier than on the left, but he also has to brake otherwise he won’t stop as the track is very dirty on the inside.

“We did it the lap before but we were side-by-side and he braked a bit later because he was on the clean line, but he was behind me anyway and if I want to brake 10 or 20 metres earlier I can do that, it’s up to him to (give me the room), but having said that I braked at the same place.”