Monteiro: We are right on schedule

The Chevrolet trio of Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu posted the fastest laps in today’s test at Suzuka.

During this very first session, all three drivers in the works Cruze cars were able to beat last year’s WTCC track record on the East Circuit (53.443).

“It was not bad. To be one second behind the Chevrolet cars after only a couple of months of work is a good starting point. Especially when we see that they have improved last year’s track record,” commented the Portuguese racer.

“It feels good to be here, comparing ourselves with the rest of the field. We stay stick to our plan of developing the car, but it was nice to be in the middle of the field. We have some additional information now, and we will analyze them to see where we may improve. This first test was interesting and we are quite happy for what we are doing so far. We are right on schedule.”

The goal was to make the top ten and he achieved it. “Yes, the red flags came at the wrong times for me, as for a few other people, but we are where we wanted to be. And now we have to try and be closer. I pushed hard, without going for a qualifying set up. The car was rather set up for the races. So, there is a margin of improvement, no doubt about it. Both for the car and myself.”