BMW sent out a warning signal to their rivals in warm-up for the first round of the World Touring Car Championship at Curitiba after locking out the top three positions.
Augusto Farfus was the best of the full works entries, the Brazilian, who will start from third on the grid for the opening race, going quickest, ahead of Jorg Muller and Andy Priaulx.
Warm-up will provide particular encouragement for Priaulx, who has struggled to dial his 320si into the Brazilian circuit all weekend, the reigning champion lapping significantly quicker in the short session than he has done so far this weekend.
Front row sitter Rickard Rydell led the SEAT charge in fourth, ahead of Chevrolet duo Rob Huff and Nicola Larini, who maintained the Lacetti's promising early form. Tiago Monteiro, Jordi Gene, Felix Porteiro and pole sitter Yvan Muller rounded out the top ten times.
The session did have to be stopped early after Stefano D'Aste crashed his privateer BMW in the closing stages, the incident causing considerable damage that will put Proteam under pressure to repair in time for the races.
Meanwhile, Alain Menu, who was briefly hospitalised following his qualifying smash, did not make it out onto track, although this was due to mechanical issues with his Lacetti. The Swiss driver expected to race later today.
![Augusto Farfus - BMW Team Germany BMW 320si [pic credit: FIA WTCC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/411951.jpg)
