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N.Technology Acclimatises in Picturesque Pau |
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Friday, 01 June 2007 |
Street circuits are notoriously difficult for any form of motorsport but racing through the town of Pau, France in a touring car is an especially demanding challenge. The N.Technology Alfa Romeo team used today’s FIA World Touring Car Championship testing session to collate essential data for tomorrow’s pivotal qualifying session.
With overtaking being limited on the narrow track, qualifying well is the key to a successful weekend. Both drivers concentrated on setting their Alfa Romeo 156 up for tomorrow as well as getting to know the track.
James Thompson put in a fastest time of 1:24.902, completing 15 laps on
the drying track with team-mate Olivier Tielemans posting a time of
1:25.949 with 19 laps completed.
Andrea Muller, Team Manager
“Today’s goal is to get to know the track and gather as much data as
possible. We worked on setting the car up and finding the best gear
ratios for this track. The key to Pau is to qualify well as there
doesn’t seem to be much opportunity for overtaking here.”
James Thompson, car number 15
“I had a look on YouTube for footage of the track before coming here,
anything that can help gather more information is good! It’s a lot
bumpier than it appeared to be and the track is extremely narrow. I
think we can do well though and there are still the free practice
sessions tomorrow to improve the car.”
Olivier Tielemans, car number 16
“The good thing about testing on Fridays is that it allows drivers that
are new to the track to learn it early in the weekend. It doesn’t take
very long, for example Valencia I was P2 in second practice despite not
knowing the track, but it’s good to have that extra track-time.
“Pau is extremely narrow, the corners are very tight but my main
concern is the pit straight. Starting a race on such a narrow track is
going to be very interesting! I think the trick will be to be either at
the very front or maybe even at the back as the midfield is going to be
a difficult place to start from.”
FIA WTCC Pau qualifying times
1. Alan Menu (SUI), Chevrolet Lacetti, 1:23.588
2. Yvan Muller (FRA), SEAT Leon, 1:23.648
3. Robert Huff (GBR), Chevrolet Lacetti, 1:23.796
4. Andy Priaulx (GBR), BMW 320si, 1:23.882
5. Augusto Farfus (BRA), BMW 320si, 1:23.934
6. Tiago Monteiro (POR), SEAT Leon, 1:24.011
7. Roberto Colciago (ITA), SEAT Leon, 1:24.073
8. Jordi Gene (ESP), SEAT Leon, 1:24.152
16. James Thompson (GBR), Alfa Romeo 156, 1:24.902
22. Olivier Tielemans (NED), Alfa Romeo 156, 1:25.949
The live WTCC coverage for Pau, France begins Saturday 2 June with
qualifying on Eurosport 2 at 15:00 (local time) followed by race one on
Sunday at 10:00 (local time) on Eurosport 2 and race two at 15:30
(local time) on Eurosport.
Live streaming will also be available for both races on www.eurosport.com and www.fiawtcc.com
For more information please visit www.ntechnology.com
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