Photo: WTCC Media

James Thompson tops Monza test

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James Thompson topped the World Touring Car Championship test at Monza. The Brit’s fastest time was 2:00.918 during the morning session.
“We had a very good day. We didn’t carry out as many laps as other teams because we were making big changes on the car between the runs but it was worth it,” said Thompson.

This is the first time Thompson heads a test with the N-Technology Honda-team.
“We take this result as a good representation of the progress we’re making. Step-by-step we will be back at the level we are used to competing at.”

Second fastest overall was Tom Coronel in the SUNRED SEAT Léon. His time was fastest of the afternoon session, but that time was not quick enough to beat Thompson’s time – 0.022 seconds slower.

Alain Menu was third fastest, only 0.004 seconds behind Coronel, making it all front wheel-driven cars in top three.

Andy Priaulx defended the colors for BMW in fourth with 2:01.214 as his best time ahead of Jordi Gené, who was best SEAT-driver. A total of 16 drivers took part in the test.

The times were close as 13 cars were within one second. The Turkish driver Aytaç Biter took part in the afternoon session, replacing Ibrahim Okyay in the Borusan Otomotive Motorsport BMW 320si. Biter will drive the WTCC races at Brands Hatch and Oschersleben later this season.