Thanks to the disqualification of Fredy Barth, Menu got to start Race 2 from pole position, but lost two positions early on after bogging down his Cruze when the red lights went out. While managing to pass Gabriele Tarquini for 2nd place by Lap 3, he needed 7 more laps to catch and overtake leader Coronel and secure the win.
When overtaking the ROAL BMW racer, Menu made contact with Coronel, throwing the Dutchman into the grass. Fortunately for Coronel, he was able to retain control of his car and maintain his second place, which he kept until the chequered flag.
“I didn't do any standing starts before today with this car,” said Menu after the race, trying to explain his poor start on Sunday. “In the last three to four laps I had a problem with the front tire wear, and Tom was a little better in the slow corners so it got very close.”
The following 3 positions were taken by Chevrolet drivers, headed by Yvan Muller. The French driver managed to pass his teammate and Race 1 winner Robert Huff for the last podium position late in the race, while 5th overall was 3-time Brazilian Stock Car champion Carlos Bueno.
Once again, the group of Chevrolet cars were followed by a couple of SUNRED SEAT cars – driven by Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro – while Javier Villa took 8th place and headed the Yokohama Trophy classification at his very debut in the series.
In the overall classification, Robert Huff now leads the standings after round 1 of the 2011 FIA WTCC with 37 points, while Alain Menu and Yvan Muller are level on points in 2nd and 3rd place (33 each).
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