Monza 2006: Farfus wins, SEAT shine, BMW flounder.

Sunday, 2nd April 2006

Augusto Farfus Jr. took advantage of his pole position to secure his second World Touring Car victory in a hugely eventful second race at Monza that saw SEAT star again and main rivals BMW fall foul of collisions.

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Up at the front, Rickard Rydell was challenging Alex Zanardi for second place, with the duo swapping places before the BMW managed to pull clear of the Swede in search of a much needed good result for BMW following the retirement of two more 320sis, in the shape of Jorg Muller and Marcel Costa, who both found the gravel trap.

However, in his eagerness to get past Farfus on the penultimate lap, the BMW clouted the side of the Alfa Romeo coming out of turn one, instantly snapping the front suspension and becoming the fifth works BMW driver to retire.

At the same time, Alessandro Balzan, who had been locking up badly into the first corner for a number of laps now, slid sideways, delaying a number of cars behind him but allowing the Chevrolets of Menu and Rob Huff into a highly unexpected fourth and fifth place, with the privateer managing to hold it together to stay sixth.

With a single lap to go, Farfus led Muller, who had quietly made his way through the carnage, while Rydell came under increasing pressure from Menu, this Swiss driver pulling off a late but perfectly executed lunge into turn three to grab the final podium spot.

Unfortunately for Rydell though, Huff was looking to follow his team mate through but instead slammed into the side of the Leon, spinning him round and delaying the Brit, who had been on course for his best finish. He finished down in 12th by the end.

Farfus though held back a fast finishing Muller for his second career win following his maiden triumph at the final round of last season in Macau. His victory is all the more sweet as it was done in a semi-works run Alfa Romeo, following the manufacturers withdrawal at the end of last year.

Muller meanwhile will go into the next round as the championship leader, with the Spanish manufacturer going to Magny-Cours on a high having gotten five of their cars in the top ten and only Rydell's last lap demise preventing them from achieving the unprecedented feat of getting each of their drivers into the points.