Yvan Muller secured an untroubled light to flag victory during the third round of the 2012 World Touring Car Championship at Valencia, ahead of Gabriele Tarquini and Tom Coronel. For Muller, it marked his 25th victory in the World Touring Car Championship, since he joined the series in 2006.
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Muller held the lead off the rolling start, despite the best efforts of Tarquini who looked to take the lead around the outside of the first corner. Behind, Muller’s Chevrolet team-mates Rob Huff and Alain Menu were making progress up the field.
In a largely processional race, reigning Champion Muller pulled away from the chasing pack to take the chequered flag by over six seconds, while Tarquini held up the chasing pack.
As the race entered its final stages, Coronel started to close in on the 2009 Champion but was unable to prise the door open and was awarded the black and white driving standards flag after a couple of taps on the back of the Lukoil Racing Team SEAT Leon.
After his disappointing qualifying session, Menu recovered to finish fifth, while the Yokohama Independents honours went to local driver Pepe Oriola in sixth, ahead of the BMW’s of Norbert Michelisz and Franz Engstler.
The top ten was rounded out by Tiago Monteiro and Darryl O’Young, while James Nash in the Team Aon Ford Focus has his strongest race to date as he finished just outside the top ten in twelfth, having had a tight battle with Alberto Cerqui and the midfield pack.
Having had a strong run during the early stages, Tarquini’s team-mate at the Lukoil Racing Team, Alexey Dudukalo, had to pull into the pits due to suspension problems but rejoined on the final lap.