Chevrolet’s winning streak came to an end after eleven consecutive victories. On their home soil BMW and Franz Engstler claimed their first success. The first for the new 1.6 litre turbo engine built in Munich and the first ever in WTCC for the German driver.
If Oschersleben’s Race 1 gave Chevrolet another 1-2 finish, with Yvan Muller victorious from Rob Huff, the second race saw a more variegated podium with BMW, Chevrolet and SUNRED/SEAT classified in the order. Another evidence that the gap between the Cruze cars and the rest of the field becomes closer and closer.
The Volvo too moved a further step forward, with Robert Dahlgren finishing fourth in Race 1, the best result for the Swedish car and yet, it could have been better without a clash with Menu that dropped Dahlgren to eighth during the opening lap.
Speaking of the championship, Muller appears to be well determined to defend his crown. Between Donington and Oschersleben the Frenchman has eaten away 23 of the 29 points that formed Huff’s leading margin after Porto. Only six points are left behind them…
Even closer is the fight for the Yokohama Trophy, with five drivers – Norbert Michelisz, Kristian Poulsen, Darryl O’Young, Engstler and Javier Villa covered by only six points.
The championship will resume after the summer break at Valencia, Spain, on September 3rd for rounds 17 and 18.
FIA TECHNICIANS TO CHECK CHEVROLET ENGINES
The results of the two races at Oschersleben remains provisional, pending the technical checks of two Chevrolet engines.
The 1.6-litre turbo units of Rob Huff’s and Darryl O’Young’s Cruze cars have been sealed by the FIA Technical Delegate, who will proceed to a complete check at RML factory during the Summer break before the next event at Valencia.