N.Technology arrived in Valencia this weekend ready to take on the impressive Circuito Ricardo Tormo this weekend for round five and six of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). The Italian team is not one to shy away from hard work, indeed many hours has been spent working on the successful Alfa Romeo 156 so far this season, but bad luck has plagued the team in the last two race-meetings and Team Manager, Andrea Muller said before the weekens: “no more”.

“We have many changes coming for this weekend in Spain,” said Muller. “We have looked at the data compiled since the start of the season and have a very clear picture on how to improve our car but unfortunately things haven’t gone our way so far. Both drivers, James Thompson and Olivier Tielemans, have had their share of misfortune this season - especially James who endured quite a few knocks from other competitors. We know the 156 can win races here in Valencia and are looking forward to a competitive weekend."

Last year’s visit to the Spanish circuit saw the N.Technology team race to victory with former Alfa Romeo driver Augusto Farfus following the Brazilian’s qualifying performance which saw him claim pole. James Thompson who replaces Farfus this year was hoping for a repeat performance as the team prepared for qualifying. “I’ve always enjoyed racing at Valencia,” said the 32-year-old from Harrogate, UK. “It’s a great circuit to have on the calendar and I’m looking forward to a good result this weekend.”

It was justified optimism as yesterday afternoon James Thompson further secured his place in touring car history by scoring N.Technology’s 100th pole position with Alfa Romeo in the FIA World Touring Car Championship qualifying session in Spain. The N.Technology Alfa Romeo driver recorded his best time early on in the session at Valencia, setting the scene for a tense 30 minutes for his team as SEAT driver, Yvan Muller, came within 0.001s of the 32-year-old Brit.

Thompson´s Alfa Romeo 156 held out to the end, however, and he said afterwards there is no reason he couldn't turn this landmark achievement into the team’s 146th race win with the marque in today's first race. The team’s second driver, Olivier Tielemans, will start from 20th on the grid despite finishing second-fastest in this morning’s second free practice.
 

James Thompson, car number 15: "It was a neat and tidy lap but I could have gone faster. In the remaining laps I was trying to be faster but ultimately made a couple of mistakes and ended slower. Looking at the people at the front, I think the start of tomorrow’s race will be anything but neat and tidy! It’s not a difficult circuit for overtaking, but hopefully the strengths of our car will be enough so we can keep everybody behind.

"We were on pole here last year and since then everybody but us has made big changes; if you asked anybody if they think their car is faster than last year, I think they would say yes. So we must have taken a big step forward since Zandvoort to have repeated last year’s form here again. I think a lot of credit has to go to the team. They have worked exceptionally hard behind the scenes. Everybody’s been pushing in the right direction."

Mauro Sipsz, Team Principal: "This is an historic day for N.Technology, but it’s only the first step for tomorrow. We´ve achieved a milestone - out 100th pole position - despite still developing the Alfa 156 so we’re very happy. If you consider the age of our race car this further endorses the dedication and innovation of the N.Technology team. We needed a result and the team is euphoric. It'ss a very proud day."

2007 FIA World Touring Car Championship Qualifying, Valencia: 1. James Thompson (GBR), Alfa Romeo 156, 1:43.954; 2. Yvan Muller (FRA), SEAT Leon, 1:43.955; 3. Andy Priaulx (GBR), BMW 320si, 1:44.114; 4. Jordi Gene (ESP), SEAT Leon, 1:44.228 5. Michel Jourdain (MEX), SEAT Leon, 1:44.234; 6. Nicola Larini (ITA), Chevrolet Lacetti, 1:44.261; 7. Augustus Farfus (BRA), BMW 320si, 1:44.265; 8. Alain Menu (SUI), Chevrolet Lacetti, 1:44.280; 20. Olivier Tielemans (NED), Alfa Romeo 156, 1:45.076