With just two rounds of the World Touring Car Championship remaining on the streets of Macau, three
BMW drivers still have a chance of lifting the title.
Defending champion Andy Priaulx and Jorg Muller are only a point behind championship leader Augusto Farfus, with Dirk Muller six points further back in sixth.
Ahead of what should be another exciting finale on the trickiest circuit on the calendar, BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen talks about the upcoming race weekend and the WTCC season as whole…
Q:
As it was the case in 2005, the WTCC title fight will be decided in Macau. Is this a worthy venue for the finale?
Mario Theissen:
Yes for sure. I was on site last year, when Andy Priaulx clinched the drivers’ title and we won the manufacturers’ championship. It was a unique atmosphere, and I was deeply impressed. The circuit poses an inimitable challenge for the drivers in the final event of the season. The Guia Circuit is evocative of the narrow streets of Monaco. Street circuits of that kind deserve their reputation of being extremely demanding.
Q:
Does it come as a surprise to you that any one of nine drivers can still be champion?
MT:
I assess this situation with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it’s great that we still have three strings to our bow. Combined with the fact that we are leading the manufacturers’ classification, this proves the competitiveness of the BMW 320si in its very first season. From the manufacturer’s angle, however, we have to keep a critical view of the close field of competitors which has been brought about by individual handicaps and compromises.
Q:
For the fans there just cannot be enough excitement…
MT:
That’s true. I’m also happy we didn’t have an early title decider. We have seen 11 different race winners this season, representing four manufacturers. As far as excitement among the drivers is concerned, it couldn’t get any better. However, the WTCC is not only about the drivers, but we fought for the manufacturers’ title as well. Such a title only makes sense, if the best car is in the front at the end of the year. The title loses its significance and an ambitious manufacturer loses its interest, if the cars’ performance is levelled via the regulations.
Q:
How do you rate the performance of the three BMW title aspirants?
MT:
Over the course of the season, Andy Priaulx not only scored points on a regular basis, but also turned out to be a multiple race winner. To date he made it onto the top step of the podium four times, thus winning three more races than last year – when he won the title. Jörg Müller leaped into third position in the drivers’ classification thanks to an impressive performance in the second half of the season. Overall, he won three races. Jörg knows Macau very well. His experience will be an advantage for him. Dirk Müller is the underdog this year. In 2005, he travelled to Macau as championship leader and was beaten by Andy. Furthermore, the handicap weight will play an important role in the final two rounds.
Q:
What do you expect from the other three drivers in the BMW national teams?
