Muller, Tarquini claim wins

World Touring Car champions past and present shared the victories at the opening round of the new season in Curitiba.

Spoils shared in Curitiba

World Touring Car champions past and present shared the victories at the opening round of the new season in Curitiba. Yvan Muller, the 2008 title winner, took the honours in torrential conditions at the Brazilian circuit as he headed up a clean-sweep of the podium for Chevrolet in race one, while reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini eased to victory in race two as the SEATs fought back. Muller, who moved from SEAT to replace Nicola Larini at Chevrolet over the winter, immediately stamped his authority on new team-mates Rob Huff and Alain Menu by taking the opening race of the season in style. A heavy downpour meant the first race of 2010 began behind the safety car but after two laps at reduced speed, the pace-setter pulled into the pits to signal the start of the race in earnest. Pole-sitter Muller benefited from a clear track at the front to consolidate a lead he never looked in danger of losing, while behind Huff and Menu settled into formation after the early challenge of Jordi Gene ended when the Spaniard twice ran wide. Tarquini also ran wide at the first corner but recovered to take fourth place at the flag, while the BMWs of Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus completed the top six.

Advantage

Gene recovered from his dramas to take seventh while Tom Coronel took eighth and pole for race two. With the earlier rain replaced by brilliant sunshine, the drivers might have been forgiven for expecting an easier time of it in the day's second race, but Coronel dispelled any such thoughts as he disappeared into the turn one gravel trap after tangling with Huff. That handed the lead to SR-Sport driver Gene, but the Spaniard's advantage lasted until only lap three before team-mate Tarquini swept through the Esse de Baixa on the inside line to hit the front. The leading pair would remain unchanged to the flag by which time they had build up a five second lead over the chasing pack, led by Menu who claimed his second podium of the day. Muller took fourth from Huth as the Chevrolets again finished in close formation. British driver Priaulx was forced to retire after making contact with Farfus, who recovered to take sixth at the flag from Tiago Monteiro. Muller and Tarquini leave Brazil locked in a tie for the lead of the championship on 37 points apiece, while Menu's consistent weekend sees him third in the standings, seven points further back.

Results:

1 Yvan Muller (Fra) Chevrolet 26mins 57.181secs
2 Robert Huff (Gbr) Chevrolet 26:58.234
3 Alain Menu (Swi) Chevrolet 27:02.763
4 Gabriele Tarquini (Ita) SEAT 27:04.317
5 Andy Priaulx (Gbr) BMW 27:08.806
6 Augusto Farfus (Bra) BMW 27:09.279
7 Jordi Gene (Spa) SEAT 27:11.560
8 Tom Coronel (Ned) SEAT 27:11.828
9 Fredy Barth (Swi) SEAT 27:15.954
10 Norbert Michelisz (Hun) SEAT 27:17.540