BMW Team set the pace at WTCC Macau

Resident Columnists

Thursday, 19 November 2009 10:42

BMW Team Germany's duo of Augusto Farfus and Jörg Müller set the pace in today's test at Macau. In the first half of the session all drivers were very cautious in getting to know the grip on the track. Tom Coronel was the first to top the time sheet with a lap of 2:35.871, which was then improved by Gabriele Tarquini (2:34.585), Yvan Muller (2:34.281), Müller (2:34.216) and Rickard Rydell (2:33.765).

Halfway through the session Farfus and Müller clocked the two fastest laps for good: 2:32.747 for the Brazilian and 2:33.333 for the German. Afterwards, only Robert Huff's Chevrolet managed to close the gap as the Briton completed a lap of 2:33.729 and climbed to third.

Championship leaders Tarquini (2:34.069) and Muller (2:34.049) were placed in seventh and fifth positions respectively, while Coronel improved to 2:34.178 and emerged as the fastest of the Independents. James Thompson's best try was 2:34.773 that placed his LADA Priora in 13th.

A few drivers had some moments. Lei Kit Meng went straight at the Lisbõa bend and later spun at Dona Maria but managed to avoid the walls. Which was not the case for Stefano D'Aste and Jaap van Lagen who stopped at Matsuya and Fishermen's respectively.

The WTCC competitors will hit the track again tomorrow for two 30-minute practice sessions (at 8.45 and 12.15 local time) and the extended 45-minute qualifying (Q1 from 15.50 to 16.20 ; Q2 from 16.25 to 16.40). www.girlracer.co.uk