Alain MENU – pole position: “My lap in Q2 was a very good one. And really I needed it, because today the BMW cars were very close. This is the fourth time Chevrolet secure pole position for Race 1 and we have to give all the credit to the team for making the Cruze the fastest car of the field. I have the feeling that the races will be tough for the tyres, especially because it is very hot. We have to think very carefully about a set-up that may save the front tyres.”
Yvan MULLER – 2nd fastest: “I should be happy with the second place, but this was the third consecutive qualifying session I spoiled by making little mistakes. Here I pushed too hard, everywhere. With three corners to finish the lap, I decided to abort my first attempt in Q2 because I had the feeling I was not fast enough. It was tricky, because I pitted for a new set of tyres and I knew I had only one shot.”
Javier VILLA – 3rd fastest, best of Yokohama Trophy: “This is one of the track I already knew as I won the GP2 race here. Although I had to revise all the parameters because the WTCC cars are very different from single seaters. But it was a great opportunity for us, to stay in the pace with the fastest guys. I had the feeling that my lap was not perfect, but this was the first time I actually pushed the BMW over one single lap. Probably I could have been a little bit faster.”
Norbert MICHELISZ – 5th fastest: “I am disappointed. At every lap I made some small mistakes. I am sorry for all my fans who came here today to support, and I have to admit I felt the pressure on me...”