Despite Gabriele Tarquini denying Chevrolet its fourteenth successive pole position, it was business as usual in the race as Yvan Muller headed Robert Huff in a Chevrolet 1-2, with Tarquini completing the podium positions.
A precautionary engine change on Tarquinis SEAT León after Qualifying suggested possible concerns in the Lukoil Racing garage, but Tarquini finished the race after battling with both Muller and then Huff. Alain Menu in the third factory Chevrolet Cruze ended the race in a frustrated eighth place after contact with Huff that saw the Swiss driver forced to take to the gravel on the first lap.
The battle amongst the competitors for the Yokohama Trophy was just as fierce, with Pepe Oriola, Aleksei Dudukalo, Alex MacDowall and Norbert Michelisz all fighting for the first points of the season. Dudukalo pulled up on lap 11 after leading the independents category, leaving Pepe Oriola to take maximum points from the race.
Two laps were completed behind the Safety Car after Isaac Tutumlus BMW stopped on the circuit on lap 3 and had to be removed.
Key moments
Start - Tarquini was first into the chicane, but Engstler, DAste and Monteiro collided
Lap 1 - Menu was sent into the gravel at Lesmo after contact with Huff
Lap 2 - Muller was first into the chicane, but ran wide and so let Tarquini retake the lead
Lap 2 Bennani, Nash and Barlesi had contact at the first chicane; only Nash rejoined
Lap 3 - Tarquini ran wide into the chicane, Muller took the lead
Lap 6 - Huff took third from Rydell, but Rydell retook the place.
Lap 6 - Chilton passed DAste but also then lost the position on the same lap.
Lap 7 - Huff passed Rydell again to move into 3rd place.
Lap 7 - Dudukalo passed Coronel.
Lap 8 - Ng and Weber collided at the Roggia chicane; Tutumlu was also involved in the clash
Lap 9 - Huff passed Tarquini for second place
Lap 10 - Menu moved up into eighth place.
Lap 11 - Dudukalo retired from sixth
Withdrawals
D. OYoung: DNS; T. Monteir race incident; A. Barlesi: race incident; M. Bennani: race incident; I. Tutumlu: race incident; A. Dudukal engine.
Muller wins first race of the season
- Published on 11 Mar 2012 15:30
-
0
- By: Danny Sosef
.
Trending news
-
Why David Coulthard believes Aston Martin can win within two yearsDavid Coulthard has predicted Aston Martin will win Grands Prix within two years, despite the British team enduring o...
03 Aug 2026 16:41 -
Briatore's sprint plan that Verstappen despisesAlpine team principal Flavio Briatore has called for sprint races to be held at every Formula 1 round, doubling the c...
03 Aug 2026 15:39 -
Why Domenicali sees Antonelli as the future of Formula 1Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has delivered an emphatic endorsement of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, describing the Merce...
03 Aug 2026 14:37 -
Three records Verstappen can claim at Zandvoort's F1 farewellMax Verstappen can claim three separate Zandvoort circuit records when the Dutch Grand Prix runs for the final time l...
03 Aug 2026 13:35 -
What Verstappen really thinks about the end of ZandvoortMax Verstappen has reflected on his role in bringing Formula 1 back to Zandvoort, saying that the achievement remains...
03 Aug 2026 12:33
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
Replies (0)
Login to reply