Fitting send off for the Chevrolet team as Rob Huff takes the title in Macau. Imagine the celebrations for the RML boys in Macau will be quite serious...
Chevrolet ends season over 1,000-point mark after double, triple finishes
Rob Huff won the 2012 World Touring Car Championship Drivers title in a convoluted last round in Macau, which saw Chevrolet end the 2012 season with a massive and unprecedented 1,025 points after double and triple finishes.
Huff deservedly clinched his first WTCC Drivers title, but had to suffer until the very end ofRace 2 after making an uncharacteristic mistake in the first race, forcing him to retire anddelaying celebrations until the very last lap..
It was an exciting and emotional day for the team. Yvan Muller and Alain Menu took 1st and2nd respectively in Race 1, while the Swisswho gave Chevrolet its first WTCC win in 2006 posted the last success for the team, taking the laurels in Race 2 ahead of Huff andMuller.
Huff, who was placed 3rd in 2010 and 2nd in 2011, ended the season on 413 points. He wasfollowed by Alain Menu on 401 points and Yvan Muller takes on 393 points. This was thethird consecutive Drivers title for Chevrolet and the RML-run Cruzes, which follows theManufacturers third title won in Suzuka, Japan.Chevrolet achieved an historical record, being the first constructor ever to pass the 1,000-point threshold and finishing the season on 1,025 points, ahead of BMW (650) and SEAT(617).
It was a fitting send off for Chevrolet as Darryl OYoung scored points in both races in theIndependents Trophy at the wheel of a Bamboo Engineering Cruze.Sundays races were packed with action and accidents. Muller got off to a great start inRace 1, arriving at the first corner ahead of pole sitter Huff and Menu. On lap 4, the Britonmanaged to overtake Muller at the Lisboa corner, but his leadership lasted barely minutesafter he hit the wall at Pariol, damaging his Cruze and forcing him to the pits.Meanwhile, Muller and Menu battled for victory up front. The two made contact, but theSwiss managed to stay out of the barriers and eventually crossed the line ahead of histeammate.
In Race 2, Menu had a great start from P8 and quickly took the lead, which he kept until thechequered flag. Huff ended 2nd after picking off those in front of him. He narrowly avoidedOriola (SEAT) and Michelisz (BMW) after the two independent drivers came together in theclosing laps. Muller took 3rd place after being involved in a race incident with MacDowall.The safety car had to be called out following the two incidents.The Macau race was the last for Chevrolet in the WTCC series after an extraordinary eightyearjourney that produced three double WTCC titles (Manufacturers and Drivers) and astaggering 68 race wins.
QUOTESRob Huff (DNF/2nd): What an incredible day! I really made things difficult for myself in Race1 when I hit a wallI guess I wanted to ensure the entertainment until the very last moment.It was a stupid mistake that could have cost me a lot.
The boys did a fantastic job to repair the car for Race 2 and I must thank all the mechanics,including Alains and Yvans crews who also helped out. This is proof of the fantastic teamspirit.
The time in between races was really long and horrific. I preferred to stay in the car andreflect on what not to repeat. Luckily, things went smoothly in the second race. I was 7th atthe beginning, which was not enough to clinch the title. I remained calm and gained positionafter position, ending up in 2nd place.
I had a scary moment two laps from the end, when Michelisz and Oriola collided in front ofme at the Lisboa corner. I missed Oriola by millimeters.
It is going to take a while before I realize Im the new World Champion. I guess itssomething that has to sink in slowly. Its a perfect end to a fantastic venture. Eight year ago,Chevrolet and RML took a gamble on me and I hope today I proved them right.
Alain Menu (2nd/1st): Its great to finish with a win. In a way I am closing the loop. I won thefirst race for Chevrolet in 2006 at Brands Hatch (UK), and now the last one and we areleaving the WTCC with a 1-2-3; its great.
Needless to say, I am a little bit disappointed not to win the Drivers title by so few points,but thats racing. I knew I had to win both races to be in with a chance, and I came close todoing so...
Finishing 2nd in Race 1 and winning Race 2 means I did quite a good job. I pushed hardwithout thinking about what was happening behind me because I had no control on myteammates race.
Overall I had a good season and I am very happy with what we achieved. Its still hard torealize that it is all overwe will definitely be sad tomorrow, but tonight well surely have agreat party.
Yvan Muller (1st/3rd): A bronze medal in the WTCC was missing in my collection, but now Ihave it Clearly, I would have preferred another outcome, but I knew it was going to bedifficult to win the championship after Shanghai.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to accept it. I want to congratulateRob on his titleit is well-deserved. Race 1 was good for me. I was happy to win in Macaufor the first time. In Race 2 there was this incident with Alex MacDowall; he missed the apexat the Mandarin corner, the fastest of all, and I was too close to be able to do anything toavoid him. I am sorry, but relieved he is OK.
Being with Chevrolet these last three years has been a terrific experience and I will retaingreat memories of this time.
Ron Hartvelt (WTCC Project Manager): It has been a very emotional day and we couldnthave asked for better results. It has been a great team effort once again, especially since wehad to repair Robs car in a very short period of time after Race 1.
We can only be proud of what this team has achieved and the way in which they haveachieved it. Its a perfect ending to a fantastic project.
Vijay Iyer (Director Communications, Chevrolet Europe): I want to thank our drivers andeverybody at RML for the outstanding job, the commitment and the spirit shown during thisweekend, the entire season and the eight years of Chevrolets presence in the WTCC.To finish with a 1-2-3 is really symbolic of how great this experience has been for everyoneinvolved. This has been a fantastic program for Chevrolet, which has brought a lot to ourbrand, and we say goodbye to the WTCC with a sense of pride for our achievements.
MACAU RACE 1 RESULTS (9 laps)1. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze 23m08s9772. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze + 0s9153. T Monteiro Honda Civic S2000 + 1s2974. G Tarquini SEAT Len WTCC + 1s9675. OYoung Chevrolet Cruze +11s5199 A MacDowall Chevrolet Cruze +1m16s524DNF R Huff Chevrolet Cruze 4 laps (accident damage)
MACAU RACE 2 RESULTS (11 laps)1. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze 35m36s0962. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 0s3203. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 0s8894. T Monteiro Honda Civic S2000 + 9s0155. D OYoung Chevrolet Cruze + 9s786DNF A MacDowall Chevrolet Cruze 3 laps (Accident)
WTCC DRIVERS FINAL STANDINGS RACE 24 OF 241. Huff (Chevrolet), 413 ; 2. Menu (Chevrolet), 401 ; 3. Muller (Chevrolet), 393 ; 4.Tarquini (SEAT), 252 ; 5. Coronel (BMW), 207 ;11. MacDowall (Chevrolet), 68 ;14.OYoung (Chevrolet), 37; 16. Nykjr (Chevrolet), 20 ;19. Rydell (Chevrolet), 14
WTCC MANUFACTURERS FINAL STANDINGS RACE 24 OF 241. Chevrolet, 1,025 points; 2. BMW, 650; 3. SEAT, 617.
