BMW Team RBM claims one-two in Monza: Priaulx wins, Farfus second.
Monza, 23rd May 2010. BMW Team RBM celebrated its maiden one-two in the FIA World
Touring Car Championship. Andy Priaulx (GB) won the fifth round of the season in
Monza (IT), crossing the line in his BMW 320si WTCC 0.248 seconds ahead of his team-mate,
Augusto Farfus (BR), who finished second. It was Priaulx’s second consecutive
victory following his triumph in Marrakech (MA) and the 14th victory of his WTCC
career. Chevrolet’s Robert Huff (GB) joined the two BMW drivers on the podium
by coming third.
In the second race of the day, won by Yvan Muller (FR, Chevrolet), Farfus and Priaulx
again managed to increase their points’ tallies, finishing fourth and fifth
respectively. In the Drivers’ Championship Priaulx consolidated fourth, having
74 points under his belt. Muller is leading the classification on 100 points. After
six rounds Farfus ranks sixth (47 points).
Following a turbulent start, Priaulx and Farfus were third and fourth for a long
time in race one, before bad luck struck Tarquini and Huff, who lost their leading
positions due to punctures on the final lap. The two BMW works drivers improved
to take first and second when they entered the final straight. In race two, the
BMW pairing again put in a flawless performance. Both Farfus and Priaulx gained
three positions during the race.
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal):?Following the successful qualifying, which saw us
taking first and third on the grid, we knew it would be difficult to defend our
positions during race one’s rolling start. In the first chicane Augusto lost
the lead, but managed to fight back in great style to fourth. Andy was pushed off
the track in the first chicane, but still emerged from the opening lap turmoil in
third. Both then both drivers ran like trains behind each other, without making
any mistakes. In the frantic final lap both kept their cool, and passed Huff and
Tarquini after the green flag was shown. This earned them this one-two. Along with
the points scored in race two, this is a fantastic result for us on a track which
normally doesn’t suit us.?
Andy Priaulx (Car Number 11):Race 1: 1st, 2:02.234 min Race 2: 5th, 2:01.860 min
Obviously
I’m extremely happy after my second consecutive WTCC win. To be honest, I
was struggling a bit in race one. But when things started to happen on the last
lap, and Augusto and I were in good positions to grab our chances. Of course I feel
sorry for Gabriele Tarquini and Robert Huff. However, in the past we have also suffered
bad luck on more than one occasion, so we will take this result. I want to dedicate
this victory to my grandmother who died on Wednesday. From a sporting point of view
this has been a dream weekend. Augusto Farfus (Car Number 10):Race 1: 2nd, 2:02.100
min Race 2: 4th, 2:02.153 min We expected to lose some places at the start of
race one. But then I quickly found my rhythm and was able to push hard. The final
lap was just crazy, and it’s great that Andy and I successfully managed to
make it to the front today. This result is a big boost for BMW and the whole team.
Following our win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours a week ago it’s an amazing feeling
to be on the podium here in Monza.