2011 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal

Last updated
Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal
Race details
Boavista2.png
Date3 July, 2011
Location Porto, Portugal
Course Circuito da Boavista
4.800 kilometres (2.983 mi)
Race One
Laps 11
Pole position
Driver Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Chevrolet RML
Time 2:04.946
Podium
First Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Chevrolet RML
Second Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Chevrolet RML
Third Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Chevrolet RML
Fastest Lap
Driver Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Chevrolet RML
Time 2:06.815
Race Two
Laps 11
Podium
First Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Chevrolet RML
Second Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Chevrolet RML
Third Flag of Portugal (official).svg Tiago Monteiro SUNRED Engineering
Fastest Lap
Driver Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Chevrolet RML
Time 2:05.846

The 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal was the sixth round of the 2011 World Touring Car Championship season and the fifth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Portugal. It was held on 3 July 2011 at the Circuito da Boavista street circuit in Porto, Portugal.

Contents

Both races were won by Chevrolet RML with Alain Menu winning race one and Robert Huff winning race two.

Background

Coming into the round, Robert Huff was leading the drivers' championship. Kristian Poulsen was leading the Yokohama Independents' Trophy.

After the Race of the Czech Republic, Urs Sonderegger left the Wiechers-Sport team having struggled to be competitive. His replacement was Stefano D'Aste who had last raced for them in the 2009 season. [1]

Report

Testing and free practice

The works Chevrolet cars finished 1–2–3 in Friday's test session with Huff leading Yvan Muller and Menu. Norbert Michelisz was fourth and the fastest independent driver while fellow BMW driver D'Aste was fifth. The session came to an end prematurely when the Polestar Racing Volvo C30 of Robert Dahlgren collided with the barriers. [2]

Menu led free practice one on Saturday morning, edging out team–mate Muller by less than a tenth of a second. Huff was third while Tom Coronel was fourth for ROAL Motorsport ahead of the local driver Tiago Monteiro. [3]

Chevrolet completed their domination of the testing and practice in free practice two as Huff set the pace ahead of Muller. Gabriele Tarquini was third for Lukoil-SUNRED while Franz Engstler was the fastest independent driver in sixth. Michelisz ended his session early when he collided with one of the barriers, damaging the rear of his Zengő-Dension Team BMW 320 TC and puncturing a tyre. [4]

Qualifying

Menu took his second pole position of the year, leading a Chevrolet 1–2–3 in qualifying. Tarquini had set the pace in the first part of qualifying ahead of Menu and Coronel while D'Aste ended up tenth to claim pole position for race two. Yokohama Trophy leader Poulsen was among those to miss out of the second session, the Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver took too much kerb heading into the final chicane and crashed into the barriers.

Muller set the pace for much of the second session but a quick lap from Menu in the final few minutes put the Swiss driver onto pole position. Muller lined up second with Huff third while Q1 pacesetter Tarquini was fourth. Monteiro was fifth at his home event ahead of Coronel and Dahlgren while eighth went to the top independent driver Michelisz. D'Aste and Engstler completed the top ten. [5]

Aleksei Dudukalo would drop ten places on the grid for race one owing to an unscheduled engine change in his SEAT León 2.0 TDI. [6]

Warm-Up

Championship leader Huff was quickest in Sunday morning's warm–up session ahead of pole sitter Menu. [7]

Race One

Menu led the field away at the rolling start with Muller and Huff behind, Monteiro took fourth after passing Tarquini. Fredy Barth tangled with the diesel SEAT of Dudukalo at the first chicane with Dudukalo retiring on the first lap and Barth stopping on lap three. Muller and Huff spent much of the race battling for second place giving Menu a chance to break away from the pair into a comfortable lead. Javier Villa also retired after an accident at the first chicane, his race ended on lap six. The race saw relatively little action and Menu led a Chevrolet 1–2–3 with Monteiro staying ahead of Tarquini with Coronel sixth and Dahlgren seventh. Michelisz was the Yokohama Trophy winner in eighth after launching an unsuccessful attack on Dahlgren's seventh place, while Michel Nykjær and D'Aste rounded out the top ten. [8]

Race Two

D'Aste was on pole position for the standing start while Dahlgren bogged down and much of the field had to avoid him. The Wiechers–Sport driver led the race until lap three when he was passed by Muller. Muller was able to build a 2.5 second lead while it took Huff another lap to pass D'Aste, after which Huff started to close in on the leading Chevrolet. Huff eventually caught up and the pair came together before Huff skidded over one of the chicanes and into the lead. D'Aste received a drive–through penalty for jumping the start and Monteiro moved into the third when the Italian dived into the pit lane. D'Aste collided with the bollards after a late nudge from Mehdi Bennani. Huff claimed the win ahead of Muller, Monteiro claimed a podium at his home race in third. Michelisz in fourth was the independent winner again while Poulsen, the Yokohama Trophy leader coming into the event, was last on the road. [9]

Results

Qualifying

Pos.No.NameTeamCarCQ1Q2
18 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 2:06.6222:04.946
21 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 2:06.9642:05.280
32 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 2:06.9182:05.284
43 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Lukoil-SUNRED SUNRED SR León 1.6T 2:06.3972:05.548
518 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Tiago Monteiro SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T 2:06.8382:05.656
615 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Tom Coronel ROAL Motorsport BMW 320 TC 2:06.6732:06.143
730 Flag of Sweden.svg Robert Dahlgren Polestar Racing Volvo C30 Drive 2:06.8302:06.678
85 Flag of Hungary.svg Norbert Michelisz Zengő-Dension Team BMW 320 TC Y2:06.7892:06.682
926 Flag of Italy.svg Stefano D'Aste Wiechers-Sport BMW 320 TC Y2:06.9872:06.722
1012 Flag of Germany.svg Franz Engstler Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Y2:06.8272:06.770
1117 Flag of Denmark.svg Michel Nykjær SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y2:07.021
129 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Darryl O'Young bamboo-engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Y2:07.066
137 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Fredy Barth SEAT Swiss Racing by SUNRED SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y2:07.071
1420 Flag of Spain.svg Javier Villa Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC Y2:07.072
1511 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Poulsen Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Y2:07.134
1674 Flag of Spain.svg Pepe Oriola SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y2:07.361
174 Flag of Russia.svg Aleksei Dudukalo Lukoil-SUNRED SEAT León 2.0 TDI Y2:08.480
1810 Flag of Japan.svg Yukinori Taniguchi bamboo-engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Y2:10.123
107% time: 2:15.244
25 Flag of Morocco.svg Mehdi Bennani Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC Yno time set

Race 1

Pos.No.NameTeamCarCLapsTime/RetiredGridPoints
18 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 1123:22.763125
21 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 11+1.262218
32 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 11+1.519315
418 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Tiago Monteiro SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T 11+5.710512
53 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Lukoil-SUNRED SUNRED SR León 1.6T 11+10.457410
615 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Tom Coronel ROAL Motorsport BMW 320 TC 11+12.23768
730 Flag of Sweden.svg Robert Dahlgren Polestar Racing Volvo C30 Drive 11+16.69376
85 Flag of Hungary.svg Norbert Michelisz Zengő-Dension Team BMW 320 TC Y11+17.25684
917 Flag of Denmark.svg Michel Nykjær SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y11+17.724112
1026 Flag of Italy.svg Stefano D'Aste Wiechers-Sport BMW 320 TC Y11+18.23291
1112 Flag of Germany.svg Franz Engstler Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Y11+20.36010
129 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Darryl O'Young bamboo-engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Y11+25.77812
1374 Flag of Spain.svg Pepe Oriola SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y11+27.34316
1411 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Poulsen Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Y11+48.80115
1510 Flag of Japan.svg Yukinori Taniguchi bamboo-engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Y11+55.04617
1625 Flag of Morocco.svg Mehdi Bennani Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC Y11+56.08419
Ret20 Flag of Spain.svg Javier Villa Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC Y6Race incident14
NC7 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Fredy Barth SEAT Swiss Racing by SUNRED SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y3+8 Laps13
Ret4 Flag of Russia.svg Aleksei Dudukalo Lukoil-SUNRED SEAT León 2.0 TDI Y0Race incident18

Race 2

Pos.No.NameTeamCarCLapsTime/RetiredGridPoints
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 1123:24.533325
21 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 11+1.797218
318 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Tiago Monteiro SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T 11+8.728415
45 Flag of Hungary.svg Norbert Michelisz Zengő-Dension Team BMW 320 TC Y11+9.752712
515 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Tom Coronel ROAL Motorsport BMW 320 TC 11+10.059810
68 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Chevrolet RML Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 11+11.11498
73 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Lukoil-SUNRED SUNRED SR León 1.6T 11+12.849106
812 Flag of Germany.svg Franz Engstler Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Y11+19.47464
99 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Darryl O'Young bamboo-engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Y11+24.147122
107 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Fredy Barth SEAT Swiss Racing by SUNRED SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y11+25.787131
1126 Flag of Italy.svg Stefano D'Aste Wiechers-Sport BMW 320 TC Y11+30.2501
1217 Flag of Denmark.svg Michel Nykjær SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y11+34.39911
134 Flag of Russia.svg Aleksei Dudukalo Lukoil-SUNRED SEAT León 2.0 TDI Y11+37.37318
1474 Flag of Spain.svg Pepe Oriola SUNRED Engineering SUNRED SR León 1.6T Y11+37.95015
1510 Flag of Japan.svg Yukinori Taniguchi bamboo-engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Y11+38.73516
1630 Flag of Sweden.svg Robert Dahlgren Polestar Racing Volvo C30 Drive 11+39.3655
1720 Flag of Spain.svg Javier Villa Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC Y11+41.08417
1825 Flag of Morocco.svg Mehdi Bennani Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC Y11+58.16119
1911 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Poulsen Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Y11+1:53.44714

Standings after the event

References

  1. Allen, Peter (25 June 2011). "D'Aste Returns To Wiechers In Place Of Sonderegger". The Checkered Flag. BlackEagleMedia Network. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  2. Allen, Peter (1 July 2011). "Huff Quickest As Chevrolet Dominate Porto Test". The Checkered Flag. BlackEagleMedia Network. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  3. Hudson, Neil (2 July 2011). "Menu leads the way in Free Practice 1 at Porto". TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  4. Hudson, Neil (2 July 2011). "Rob Huff dominates Free Practice 2, faster by a second". TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  5. Glendenning, Mark (2 July 2011). "Alain Menu leads another Chevrolet top three grid sweep in Porto". Autosport . Haymarket Publications . Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  6. Hudson, Neil (2 July 2011). "Engine change means grid drop for Dudukalo". TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  7. Hudson, Neil (3 July 2011). "Rob Huff leads the morning warm-up". TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  8. Glendenning, Mark (3 July 2011). "Alain Menu leads Chevrolet podium sweep in race one in Porto". Autosport . Haymarket Publications . Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  9. Glendenning, Mark (3 July 2011). "Rob Huff hunts down Yvan Muller for Porto WTCC race two victory". Autosport . Haymarket Publications . Retrieved 28 February 2013.
World Touring Car Championship
Previous race:
2011 FIA WTCC Race of the Czech Republic
2011 World Touring Car Championship season Next race:
2011 FIA WTCC Race of UK
Previous race:
2010 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal
FIA WTCC Race of Portugal Next race:
2012 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal