Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) got by pole sitter Gabriele Tarquini (Seat) twice to take a first win this season, at the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) round 1, in Monza.
Muller already had the best of Tarquini at the end of lap one, but a mistake on lap two forced him on the grass. Rejoining the track, he had to concede the lead back to Tarquini.
"When I went off, I thought's 'That's it, it over," Muller said, according to Autosport.com.
"Fortunately, I found the track again, and backed off to allow Gabriele into the lead as I didn't want to risk a penalty."
Eventually, he breezed by Tarquini when the Italian slipped off some oil on the track.
Bad luck continued for the pole sitter. The brake and engine problems he suffered allowed Muller’s Chevrolet teammate Rob Huff by.
The 2011 championship runner-up almost caught up to the leader, but fell short and settled for second place. Tarquini had to content himself with third.
Muller already had the best of Tarquini at the end of lap one, but a mistake on lap two forced him on the grass. Rejoining the track, he had to concede the lead back to Tarquini.
"When I went off, I thought's 'That's it, it over," Muller said, according to Autosport.com.
"Fortunately, I found the track again, and backed off to allow Gabriele into the lead as I didn't want to risk a penalty."
Eventually, he breezed by Tarquini when the Italian slipped off some oil on the track.
Bad luck continued for the pole sitter. The brake and engine problems he suffered allowed Muller’s Chevrolet teammate Rob Huff by.
The 2011 championship runner-up almost caught up to the leader, but fell short and settled for second place. Tarquini had to content himself with third.