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WTCC : 2009 Macau - BMW - World Touring Car preview & quotes

Source - BMW Motorsport

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

World Touring Cars preview - World Championship finale in Macau, BMW fighting for both titles as the stage is set for a thrilling finale to the 2009 FIA World Touring Car Championship season.

The countdown is ticking away ahead of the final two races of the year at the challenging "Guia Circuit" in Macau (CN).

Two sets of nine laps must still be completed before the winners of both the Drivers' and the Manufacturers' Championship will be known.

BMW currently has 286 points and is determined to turn around the three point deficit to SEAT and secure its fourth World Championship title.

Augusto Farfus (BR) from BMW Team Germany lies in third place in the Drivers' Championship and still has a chance of clinching the title. His season's tally of 102 points puts him 13 points behind leader Gabriele Tarquini (IT/SEAT).

Like his rivals in the title fight, Farfus must add 40 kilograms of compensation weight to his car.

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
"I love this circuit. For me it is one of the best in the world. The circuit offers a bit of everything. However, it is not so easy to find a perfect lap and fully exploit the car's potential in qualifying there. There is normally some action at the first corner of the race. Anything is possible there. I will keep on fighting to the very end."

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
"Macau is a special place. The teams are in garages very close to each other, and help each other out. That creates a special atmosphere. The circuit itself is unique. You cannot compare it with Monaco or the long straights in Monza. The mixture makes the circuit one of a kind. It is simply fun to drive there."

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
"Macau has a special place in my heart. The first time I raced there was with Formula 3, and the enormous challenge posed by this circuit impressed me immediately. I have celebrated some of my greatest touring car successes there, and have been crowned World Champion three times in a row. It is no wonder that I feel very comfortable in Macau."

Alessandro Zanardi (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
"Another real challenge awaits us at the end of the season in the form of Macau. The circuit is unbelievable. Last year I started the second race from the pit lane and still crossed the finish line in fifth place. It would be nice to pick up some points this time too. The main thing, however, is that BMW goes home with at least one title."

Sergio Hernández (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
"There are hardly any other circuits that demand as much concentration from the drivers as Macau. Any little mistake is punished. You also need a bit of luck to avoid becoming involved in one of the incidents that are guaranteed to occur. Despite this I like this venue and am really looking forward to the season finale."

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