Alain Menu finishes 3rd in exciting Macau showdown
It was curtains down for the Chevrolet WTCC team’s 2005 campaign and it ended on a brilliant note with Alain Menu earning a well deserved and historic first podium finish. In the first heat, the Swiss driver battled understeer, brushing the barriers and damaging his car’s balance. He appeared set on finishing in 8th position - delighted to start the second leg from pole - before inadvertently passing cars that had deliberately slowed to take advantage of the reverse order grid and ending up 5th.
In the second race, Menu took off from the second row and rapidly found himself third before the safety car took to the track after an incident involving Rob Huff’s Lacetti. On the restart, with only two racing laps to go, he defended his position, finishing a brilliant third. “This is where we belong and this where we shall be next year, although a few steps higher, said Menu. It wasn’t easy out there today as circumstances are always quite extraordinary when racing on this very difficult track.”
Nicola Larini enjoyed a strong fourth place finish in the first race and set out to protect his team mate’s top three placing in the second heat before veering off the course and hitting the armco: “I had left some breathing space for Alain on the restart, said Larini, but entering the Lisboa bend braking zone I was hit at the rear by another car and went down the escape road.”
Unfortunately, Rob Huff was a victim of collateral damage in race 1, hitting the Armco while taking avoiding action. His team worked wonders to repair his car for race 2 only to see him getting entangled in further drama as he was battling his way up the field after starting from the pitlane.
“Although we hoped to bring all our cars home safe and sound, Alain’s podium finish is most gratifying and proves that next year we shall be a force to be reckoned with, said in conclusion Eric Nève, Chevrolet’s Motorsport Manager. I would really like to praise every member of our team for their tireless efforts throughout this debut season as we remain more determined than ever to take Chevrolet into the winner’s circle in 2006. We shall therefore be working very hard over the winter to reach that ultimate goal. Finally, our congratulations go out to BMW and Andy Priaulx for taking top honours after such a gruelling season, they are worthy champions and we look forward to challenging them next year.”
Upon post-race scrutineering, only one litre of fuel remained in Menu’s car while regulations require three litres minimum at the finish. The stewards of the meeting subsequently excluded the car from the results. Following data analysis, it appears Menu’s accident damage in the first race caused excess fuel consumption which has prompted the team to enter an appeal that suspends final classification.
MACAU RACE 1 RESULTS
1. A Farfus (Alfa Romeo) 10 laps in 42m11s373 (Average: 87.03kph)2. A Priaulx (BMW) + 0s4963. R Rydell (Seat) + 1s6984. N Larini (Chevrolet) + 4s4275. A Menu (Chevrolet) + 13s706
DNF R Huff (Chevrolet) Accident 1st lap
MACAU RACE 2 RESULTS
1. D Huisman (BMW) 11 laps in 37m51s579 (Average: 106.68kph)2. A Priaulx (BMW) + 0s2573. A Menu (Chevrolet) + 1s2534. A Farfus (Alafa Romeo) + 2s4285. A Zanardi (BMW) + 3s179
11 N Larini (Chevrolet) 2 lapsDNF R Huff (Chevrolet) Accident 4th lap
DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS
1 A Priaulx 2 D Muller 3 F Giovanardi4 A Farfus5 J Muller
13 A Menu14 N Larini21 R Huff
MANUFACTURER CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS
1 BMW2 Alfa Romeo3 Seat4 Chevrolet5 Ford
Please note that all race and championship standings are provisional.
