RML and its drivers, Yvan Muller and Tom Chilton, are looking forward to the maiden trip to Russia for rounds 11 and 12 of the 2013 World Touring Car Championship.
The Moscow Raceway was only opened in 2012 and has previously hosted events such as the FIA GT Championship, DTM and World Superbikes presents a new challenge for the team and RML Project Manager Ron Hartvelt explains how the team has prepared themselves for the maiden WTCC Race of Russia.
“A lot of work has gone into this event, not only from a technical side but also operationally,” he explains.
“A new venue usually conjures up new challenges, but it is an exciting and very welcome addition to the calendar. We have good help from our friends at Lukoil and are looking forward to putting on a good show for them, together with our other partners – Aon, Auto Windscreens and Hastings Direct.
“Technically we have done work on the simulation and as a result our confidence for starting set up is high – helped by all the experience we have with this car.”
He continues by explaining that Chilton has learnt the circuit on the simulator while Muller is looking to add to his 80 point Championship advantage.
“Tom has also managed to get some time in the simulator and he’s ultra motivated going into this weekend. He had a difficult Sunday at Salzburg, not of his own doing, so it’s time for him to capitalise on the great pace he has clearly demonstrated at each event. Yvan has had a great set of results so his focus is to continue this momentum and his championship lead.
“We’re all very much looking forward to this weekend and to showing Moscow what the WTCC is all about!”
After a difficult weekend in Austria, Brit Chilton is looking to bounce back in Moscow and bring the #23 Chevrolet Cruze home in a brace of strong point scoring positions.
“I really want to focus on grabbing more points this weekend and the challenge of learning a new circuit quickly is one I relish,” explains Chilton.
“Since Salzburg I’ve been really working on my fitness and have spent some invaluable time in the simulator so I am now very keen to get back in the car and on the pace. I need to some strong points finishes here so I head to the event ready to give it my all. Plus Russia is a new experience for me so it’ll be fun to visit a new location and I hope the local supporters will enjoy our series.”
Triple Champion Muller is also looking forward to the challenge of learning the Moscow Raceway and is hopeful of putting on a good show for the Russian fans and for the teams’ sponsor, Lukoil.
“Moscow is a new circuit in the championship and I am looking forward to it,” he said. “I enjoy discovering new tracks, even more so when nobody has raced there before in these touring cars so we are constantly learning and trying to extract the best from the car, whilst closely watching what the opposition are doing – we’re all learning so it’ll be interesting to see who does what.
“This is going to be an enjoyable challenge and of course, I will be looking to extend my lead in the championship. It is a huge event for Lukoil, and being the inaugural WTCC event, many fans are expected so it is important we do well here and put on a good show for them,” he concluded.