Chevrolet asks the FIA to penalize Diesels

The Chevrolet team, with RML, was the revelation of the 2007 season in WTCC and with gasoline engines, despite other teams preferring diesel. In 2008, the team therefore asked the FIA to penalize the overboosted diesel engines.

Unfortunately for the American team, the development of its new car will only begin in mid-2008, and it will not be able to have engines as powerful as BMW’s diesels and Seat’s TDIs before 2007. This is why Chevrolet has asked the FIA to penalize teams running with diesel engines.

« Next season we will race with the same car as in 2007, » said Eric Nève, Manager of Chevrolet Motorsport Europe.

« So we won’t have diesel. It’s an engine evolution and the FIA does not prohibit them, but that doesn’t mean it’s encouraging to have them.

« There is a big difference in behavior between the two types of engines. Therefore, we hope that the FIA will not impose the same amount of penalty weight whether it is gasoline or diesel. » He continued.

In 2008, the Lacetti will not undergo any noteworthy changes. But for 2009, they will be significant. However, tests are planned very soon in the UK, then in Portugal to be ready for Curitiba on March 2nd.

The team came close to the championship title in 2007 with Alain Menu’s third place, behind Yvan Muller (Seat) and Andy Priaulx (BMW), but in 2008, the team is aiming for the title.

This season, it’s the driver’s title that we want. With only 2 out of 3 drivers who can score points for the constructors’ championship, it will be difficult for us to win. So we are putting all our focus on the driver’s title.