Tarquini and Muller fit to race.
Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini have been declared fit to take part in tomorrow’s championship-deciding races. Both the SEAT sport drivers were involved in a severe crash in qualifying on Friday. After tests at a local hospital and a night’s rest the pair were seen by the FIA doctors Jean-Jacques Isserman and Jacques Tropenat this afternoon and given the all clear.
Gabriele Tarquini stated: “Physically I feel a bit stiff but fortunately we have had one day to recover so I hope that tomorrow I wake up a little bit better than now. I was optimistic for another pole but ended up in the hospital so you know never know. I couldn’t have avoided the accident. It was the track conditions and Yvan stopped just after the cloud of cement dust and I couldn’t avoid him. I was on full throttle and hit him at 130kph. The car was destroyed so I thought it was impossible to make the races but the mechanics said not to worry and they repaired it.”
Yvan Muller said: “I am able to race, I feel well but for some muscular pains. I fold but I don’t break. There was doubt about my car but the team did a fantastic job. It was a lot of hours of work but they did it. I’m a bit disappointed because my lap time before the crash was fast but probably too fast! Macau is impossible to predict so I don’t like to guess what might happen tomorrow. I don’t like to gamble!”
D'Aste and Thompson cannot race
After Kirill Ladygin who destroyed his car during Friday’s free practice, the WTCC field has lost another two cars: Stefano D’Aste’s BMW and James Thompson’s LADA that were damaged beyond repair in the qualifying session after the Briton crashed into D’Aste’s stationary car.
Thompson would have not raced anyway as he is currently forced to use crutches having suffered from bruises to his feet.
“I want to thank the medical staff, because they were very efficient and professional. And I also wish to thank Stefano D’Aste, who stayed with me all the time. I appreciated it a lot especially because after the crash I momentarily lost my sight. Having Stefano with me when I was transported to the hospital was very reassuring,” said Thompson.