Alain Menu claimed his first victory of the season after an action packed race that saw him surviving clashes with Tom Coronel and Stefano DAste who completed the podium in the order.
After a few skirmishes with his Italian competitor, Menu managed to outbrake him with a great manoeuvre at Turn 2. Then he spent the final laps defending the lead from a rushing Coronel.
For most of the race Menu, Coronel and DAste were involved in an exciting fight with Norbert Michelisz, Franz Engstler, Rob Huff, Pepe Oriola and Yvan Muller. The outcome of the battle was affected by an oil stain on the track that sent a few drivers wide on the gravel. They all rejoined, but some of them lost their positions. However, Michelisz and Engstler were able to finish in fourth and fifth respectively, while Muller could not achieve any better than eighth. James Nash was very unlucky; on his way to claim Fords best result, he retired from 11th on lap 9 for the consequences of a collision.
Yvan Muller took a comfortable win in the first race at Valencia. The reigning world champion sprinted from pole position to lead the field into the first corner, and then pushed to create a gap.
Behind him Gabriele Tarquini and Tom Coronel had a close fight for second place, which left Muller to easily manage his leading margin. Mullers team-mates, Rob Huff and Alain Menu, had to settle with fourth and fifth, as they were not able to find a gap to attack the Tarquini-Coronel duo. Pepe Oriola took the chequered flag in sixth place, winning the Yokohama Trophy from Norbert Michelisz. Franz Engstler, Tiago Monteiro and Darryl OYoung filled the remaining point-scoring positions, while Stefano DAste emerged victorious from the battle for 11th that involved James Nash (12th at the end the best result so far for Ford) and Alberto Cerqui. Mehdi Bennani completed a brilliant recovery, climbing to 14th after dropping to 24th because of a first lap incident. (fiawtcc.com)
Chevrolet with Menu and Muller on top in Valencia
- Published on 02 Apr 2012 08:25
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
What Antonelli really thinks about the FIA's Red Bull engine rulingMercedes driver and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has admitted surprise at the FIA's conclusion that ...
12 Jun 2026 16:22 -
What Verstappen won't say about his future in Formula 1Max Verstappen finished fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix after benefiting from late retirements, but the four-time wo...
15 Jun 2026 09:44 -
Piastri reveals who's the toughest rival he's ever racedOscar Piastri has named Max Verstappen as the best opponent he has ever raced against in Formula 1, choosing the four...
15 Jun 2026 11:47 -
Why F1 boss wants Alonso to race for years to comeStefano Domenicali has delivered a public endorsement of Fernando Alonso, describing the two-time world champion as e...
15 Jun 2026 12:49 -
Why Fernando Alonso's Alpine return won't go awayFernando Alonso, the two-time world champion, is once again at the centre of transfer speculation linking him to a su...
15 Jun 2026 10:46
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
Replies (0)
Login to reply