SEAT caps off historic year at the Guia Circuit
The 55th Grand Prix of Macau, which will be held this coming weekend at the Guia city circuit, will be the backdrop for an historic finale for SEAT Sport.
The constructor will be celebrating its first Constructors' Title in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the first to be won by a car powered by a diesel engine. Tiago Monteiro has played a determining role in winning this title, both through his two wins in Mexico and Portugal, and thanks to his overall showing at Okayama, where he scored points in the season's two Japanese races, in late October.Since SEAT sport is guaranteed to win both championships, Tiago will not have any great weight on his shoulders and would like to take advantage of a circuit that he loves and which loved him back last year, with two points finishes, including one at the foot of the podium. "The Guia circuit is an enormous challenge for any race driver. Some portions are spectacular and the slightest error is fatal. With touring cars, it has to be even more rigorous, because any missed line cost you dear. I really liked driving the SEAT León petrol version here last year and I can't wait to see how my car will handle with a diesel engine because it is heavier than the previous one. Going into the season finale with a feeling of a mission accomplished is a very pleasant sensation. We probably won't have any special team strategy except in qualifying, where it is essential that we are well-placed on the starting grid. Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini will battle for the drivers' title, but the other SEAT Sport drivers will have 'carte blanche' to go at it without holding back, and have two good races."
Macau is preparing for the celebration of the year of the León with a barometer pointing to fair. The weekend will be sunny, and temperatures will hover between 22°C and 26°C. The very busy calendar of the 55th Macau Grand Prix has led the FIA WTCC to change its meetings from their usual times. The first contact with the track will take place on November 13, and qualifying will be held on Friday, November 14. As usual, the race starting order will be given out on Sunday. The last two events of the season will be broadcast by Eurosport (satellite and cable). Qualifying will be taped and rebroadcast on Sunday at midnight, and races will be live at 04:00AM and 04:45AM UK Time.
