Münnich Motorsport impresses on WTCC debut

They could be new to the WTCC, but it didn’t take long to the Münnich Motorsport to stay on the same pace with the top teams.

The reigning FIA GT1 world champion Marc Basseng and his SEAT León claimed the German team’s best result of the weekend, missing Race 2 podium by inches following an exciting fight with Gabriele Tarquini’s Honda Civic. After qualifying a brilliant seventh, Basseng was stripped of a possible sixth place in Race 1 by a drive through.

“My car was still jacked up on the grid five or six seconds after the three minute board was shown. And this cost me the penalty. It was a shame. In the races everything worked well. I definitely did not expect to fight for the podium on my first appearance. I had a great fight with Gabriele and I am really happy with the fourth position,” said Basseng.

While Rob Huff in the number one car recovered in both races to finish in the points despite starting from the back of the grid, team principal René Münnich was dogged by misfortune. An incident in qualifying relegated him in 16th position; then he was forced to pit during the second race as his windscreen was misted over due to a fan failure. He finished both races in 16th and 21st.

Before going to Marrakech, Münnich will spend the Easter weekend in England, competing in the Rallycross European Championship’s opening event.