Citroën’s Yvan Muller was critical of the Vila Real circuit for its lack of overtaking in Sunday’s World Touring Car Championship races, with the Frenchman also suggesting that the Opening race should not be worth the same as the Main Race.
Starting from ninth on the grid for the reverse-grid Opening Race, Muller made no progress in hot and sunny conditions to score just two points.
The former champion was then helpless to challenge Honda’s Tiago Monteiro for the win in the Main Race, despite starting from the front row of the grid.
Muller believes that the high-speed Vila Real street circuit, with its lack of space and passing opportunities in big braking zones, does not lend itself well to exciting racing.
“The races were pretty much over after the first bend,” said Muller. “Tiago Monteiro got away well in the main race and I couldn’t go after him. I stayed right on his tail until the end to keep up the pressure.
“But overtaking a car that is moving at the same speed as you on this circuit is quite simply impossible.
“After the first corner even if I pushed hard all the way through – because I wanted to push and I’m here to do that – but to overtake another car on this track, which has the same speed or more or less the same speed as you, is impossible.
“So I just pushed, did my job and I brought the car back in second to score some points.”
Muller was also critical of the fact that equal points are awarded in the Opening Race, despite the fact that the grid is reversed. The lack of overtaking opportunities in Portugal will have failed to dispel his argument.
“As far as the championship goes, I can’t help thinking that it is unfortunate that the points system gives equal weight to the race with the reverse starting grid,” added Muller. “It doesn’t encourage you to produce good performances.”
Citroën Racing Team Principal Yves Matton echoed Muller’s views about the circuit not providing adequate opportunities for passing.
“We are satisfied to come away from Vila Real having increased our lead in the World Championship,” said Matton. “I just find it regrettable that the street circuits visited by the WTCC are devoid of overtaking opportunities.
“It means the races aren’t much of a spectacle for those watching live or on television.”