Menu fastest in Shanghai testing

Just like at Suzuka two weeks ago, Chevrolet driver Alain Menu set the fastest lap in today’s test at the Shanghai Tianma Circuit.

The Swiss racer posted a fastest lap of 1:05.978 in the dying seconds of the 30-minute session, climbing on top ahead of Robert Dahlgren and Colin Turkington.

Under an overcast sky, WTCC competitors had their first taste of the Chinese racetrack, using the first part of the test session for getting to know the twisty circuit. Despite their cautious approach some drivers had moments, especially at Turn 12, were Franz Engstler, Kristian Poulsen, Michelisz, and Mehdi Bennani spun and rejoined.

Lap times improved consistently with Tom Coronel, Norbert Michelisz and Rob Huff setting the early pace.

Dahlgren and Menu signed the first significant improvements; the Swede completed a lap in 1:06.912 that was immediately beaten by Menu’s 1:06.890. However Dahlgren responded with a 1:06.815 with ten minutes left.

Moments after, Javier Villa spun off at Turn 4 beaching his BMW onto the gravel trap, which forced the race director to wave the red flag.

When the session resumed, Turkington posted a new provisional fastest lap of 1:06.317 and then improved further to 1:06.103. But Dahlgren reclaimed the first position once again clocking a 1:06.017 with only five minutes to go. A time that was eventually beaten by Menu’s last spell of 1:05.978.

Huff (1:06.11), Yvan Muller (1:06.131) and Coronel (1:06.757) rounded up the top six.