Today’s two WTCC races about as good as we can expect them to be in normal conditions given the Chevrolets’ dominance.
Huff, Muller and Menu cruised to an easy 1-2-3 in race one, Muller putting Huff under some fierce pressure but eventually having to give best to his team mate.
Whatever concerns they might have had about tyre wear in the high temperatures at the Salzburgring, with its two long, fast right-handers, were alleviated by the mid-race safety car period. But without the appearance of the safety car in race two, Chevrolet found it much tougher going, and that produced a stunning end to the race.
Menu started poorly, Muller made rapid progress through the field followed by Huff, and in short order the pair were running one-two. But a front-left tyre failure for Menu signalled the beginning of problems for several drivers.
Surprisingly, despite Muller and MacDowell coming to a stop on the outside of a fast corner, the safety car was not deployed. That meant Muller and Huff had to nurse their tyres, allowing the BMWs of Coronel and d’Aste to close in again.
It all kicked off on the final lap – Muller’s tyre went pop and Huff’s did shortly afterwards. D’Aste took advantage of the confusion to win while Huff somehow kept Coronel back for second:
Beating Muller in both races has done Huff a power of good in the championship, but Menu is starting to lose touch with his team mates:
1. Yvan Muller – 206
2. Rob Huff – 198
3. Alain Menu – 175
4. Tom Coronel – 116
