Yvan Muller took the first pole position of the 2013 World Touring Car Championship with his RML team-mate Tom Chilton setting the second fastest time of the session.
Joining the RML Chevrolet Cruzes’ in the top seven were the customer cars of bamboo engineering with Alex MacDowall finishing 3rd fastest, James Nash 6th and Michel Nykjaer seventh.
Muller was pleased with the result of qualifying, as he set a new qualifying lap record for the WTCC at Monza, setting a 1m56.486s.
“I am so happy. Three weeks ago we didn’t know if we would be here, and now pole position! This is our first collaboration with Lukoil and Aon and I want to thank them all, and RML – well done boys.”
The triple Champion admitted that he was surprised that the competition didn’t put up more of a fight.
“I am a little surprised by Honda’s pace. But let’s wait and see, for now we will take the advantage,” added the Frenchman.
Chilton, making his debut for the team finished qualifying second fastest having set a 1m57.354s, and he shared the same views as Muller about the competition and in particular, the Honda’s.
“That was mega!” commented Chilton. “There was a little bit of carnage out there but luckily nothing that interrupted my session too heavily so I was able to fully maximise on getting the lap times down.
“The car feels great and I feel immediately at home in it. As Yvan has said, I’d expected a little more trouble from the Hondas but it just shows how competitive the Cruze is. Of course we hope we keep this advantage for a while yet, but who knows what they have planned for development.
“Right now I am just really looking forward to tomorrow. We’re going into the race from the best possible position and I am feeling very positive,” concluded Chilton.