SEAT defends its world titles

SEAT Sport is proudly going into a new WTCC season ready to defend both titles won in 2008. The team is maintaining the same structure as last year, with five SEAT León TDI units driven by the same team of drivers - Jordi Gené, Tiago Monteiro, Yvan Muller, Rickard Rydell and Gabriele Tarquini.

The WTCC 2009 features a few significant differences, such as changes to the technical rules in order to even out performance, a new ballast system according to results, and greater geographical expansion with the addition of Africa to the race calendar.

Defending both titles will be no easy task, since the FIA has added new restrictions on TDI engines due to SEAT’s rivals’ technical progresses. These new measures will make it more difficult to maintain the level of last year’s competitiveness, although the team has been working during the winter to compensate this recent drawback.

SEAT Sport drivers

Jordi Gené: "We have the same expectations for the 2009 season as last year. Our team is competitive and will be a benchmark for this year's results. I only hope to be in the running for the drivers' title, since after the 2008 season results I'm sure that a steady pace at the beginning of the championship will put me in the lead by the time we get to Macau”.

Tiago Monteiro: "2008 was a very good year with the Diesel and I learnt a lot. My goal for 2009 is to put all that experience to good use, starting by getting good results. During the races the most important consideration will be to steer clear of any accidents and score as many points at the beginning in order to contend for the title”.

Yvan Muller: "I hope to do my best in the 2009 season, just like last year. Consistency and good teamwork were the key elements for winning the title”.

Rickard Rydell: "I'm sure that SEAT will put up a good fight again for the drivers' and manufacturers' titles in 2009, although I also think our rivals are going to be harder to beat. After a year of experience with my engineer and the León TDI, I'm going to compete to win the world title".

Gabriele Tarquini: “My ultimate satisfaction would be to repeat the fantastic 2008 season for the SEAT Sport team, although it's clear it's going to be a difficult year because our rivals are a lot more competitive”.

Novelties 2009

The 2009 schedule features the novelty of the Marrakech city track in Morocco and the Oporto city track in Portugal, which makes its return to the calendar, for a total of four urban races - Marrakech, Pau, Oporto and Macau. There will be no race this year in Monza, but the Italian venue will again be Imola, after hosting such a successful event there last year.

The WTCC uses increasingly greener fuel. In 2009 and 2010 the championship's official fuel provider will supply petrol and diesel containing 10% second-generation bio-ethanol and 90% lead-free commercial fuel.

The use of this second-generation bio-ethanol reduces the need for fossil fuels as well as emissions and pollution, and does not interfere in the global production of food.