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Currently fourth in the drivers standings,
James Thompson claimed eighth fastest at the
wheel of his Alfa Romeo 156 in the closing
laps of the session. |
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André Couto’s efforts were cut short
following an incident within minutes of the
green flag. The Macanese driver was unable
to rejoin the 45-minute qualifying. |
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N.Technology
Alfa Romeo turned a difficult start to today’s
qualifying session into a strong result around the
streets of Macau for the FIA World Touring Car
Championship (WTCC) final race weekend.
Currently fourth
in the drivers standings, James Thompson claimed eighth
fastest at the wheel of his Alfa Romeo 156 in the closing
laps of the session whilst team-mate André Couto’s efforts
were cut short following an incident within minutes of the
green flag. The Macanese driver was unable to rejoin the
45-minute qualifying session, missing out on converting his
earlier pace into a top starting position. This morning’s
free practices had seen Couto claim third and fifth fastest
times.
Driving without
the advantage of following his team-mate’s slipstream,
Thompson still qualified ahead of two of his title rivals
Andy Priaulx and Jörg Müller, putting the N.Technology
driver into solid contention for tomorrow’s
championship-deciding races.
James Thompson: "I really couldn’t have driven any
harder today. I’m very disappointed not to have had the
'team-mate advantage'. I tried to use other cars to get a
tow instead but unfortunately I couldn’t get close enough.
Eighth position, taking this into account, isn’t bad;
although I know we would have been in the top four with a
tow."
André Couto: "I went out on my lap, looking forward
to supporting James as well as qualifying upfront but
clipped the inside of the wall on my first lap and damaged
the car on its front right hand side. I hope we can repair
the car in time for tomorrow to make up for this."
Andrea Muller, Team Manager: "Obviously, with Couto
crashing we lost our advantage to use the slipstream and had
to rely on other cars for a tow."
FIA World
Touring Car Championship – Macau Qualifying results:
1. Alain Menu (SUI), Chevrolet Lacetti, 2:31.209
2. Yvan Muller (FRA), SEAT Leon TDI, 2:31.395
3. Gabriele Tarquini (ITA), SEAT Leon TDI, 2:31.565
4. Augusto Farfus (BRA), BMW 320si, 2:31.751
5. Nicola Larini (ITA), Chevrolet Lacetti, 2:31.816
6. Jordi Gene (ESP), SEAT Leon TDI, 2:31.851
7. Rob Huff (GBR), Chevrolet Lacetti, 2:31.904
8. James Thompson (GBR), Alfa Romeo 156, 2:32.140
29. André Couto (MAC), Alfa Romeo 156 (no time set)
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