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Brits Lead World Championship |
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Sunday, 02 July 2006 |
British drivers Andy Priaulx and James Thompson have moved up to first and second places in the FIA World Touring Championship (WTCC) after today’s two races at Curitiba, Brazil.
Defending champion, Priaulx (BMW), scored his fourth win of the season in today’s drama-ridden second race, which marked the mid-point in the season.
The 31-year-old, from Guernsey, had only been able to come home eighth in the day’s opening race - but with the reverse grid rule, that put him on pole for the following round, which he lead all the way.
“Qualifying is so close this year that you can have a good car and
still be 19th or 20th on the grid,” said Priaulx. “Gianni (Morbidelli)
was very quick and passed me in the first race and then I was in eighth
place and I knew I couldn’t afford to make a mistake. Jörg (Müller) was
behind me so it was pretty tough.
“The second race was even tougher because I made a break and was getting into a rhythm before the safety car.
“Then after I got a good re-start I thought, ‘phew!’ but it happened
again. At no point did I think I had the race won because it was one of
those races where you could easily slip back.
”At any rate, I was pleased to be at the front of the second race because it looked a bit crazy back there!”
Thompson, 31, from Harrogate, claimed fifth and fourth paces, helping
his SEAT team take the lead of the Manufacturers’ Championship from
BMW. Thompson’s team-mate, Spaniard Jordi Gené, won the day’s first
race.
The previous leader of the series, former British Touring Car champion
Yvan Muller, from France, slipped to fifth in the standings after
failing to score any points this weekend.
The next round of the WTCC is at Pueblo, Mexico, on July 29th / 30th.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 January 2007 )
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