According to its director, Seat Sport can be proud of its season

The director of Seat Sport – Jaime Puig – believes that his Spanish team can be proud of the journey accomplished in this 2007 season in the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) despite finishing a few points short of first place in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

Yvan Muller was indeed in a position to win the driver’s title during the first race on Sunday before having to retire two laps from the finish due to a fuel pump problem. The Frenchman would then have needed only one small point in race 2 to win both titles – eventually awarded to BMW and Andy Priaulx.

“We came to Macau with the possibility of winning both titles in the championship, and for that alone, we can be proud of ourselves,” commented Puig. “This is all the more true because by the end of the season we were extremely competitive…”

« We came very close to winning the constructors’ and drivers’ titles and, in absolute terms, we feel this defeat a bit like a victory… » Continued the 55-year-old Spaniard.

Indeed, 5 races before the end of the season, Yvan Muller was 15 points behind Priaulx, but following the launch of the new Diesel-powered Seat Leon (TDi), the Frenchman managed to reach the last race of the season tied in points with the Englishman.

« Of course, we are extremely disappointed, but it’s in moments like these that we need to show strength! »

« Our Leon fought for victory in each race, so the car is great, just like the team and the drivers. We must therefore ensure to do better next time. » Concluded Puig – also owner of the Spanish hotel chain Sol Meliá.