Priaulx: “We are not favorites for Mexico”

BMW were outpaced by far during the opening round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship 2009 in Brazil. Previous triple champion Andy Priaulx says BMW are far from favorites in the coming race at Mexico.
“I’m under no illusions: we are definitely not the favourites to finish top in Puebla this year,” said Priaulx.

“My goal is to score some points. To achieve that I need to finish in the top ten in qualifying and come through the two races without any incident.”

Team mate Jörg Müller is concerned that SEAT will be far off in the distance at Mexico again.

“I am concerned though that the SEATs will again be in a league of their own in Puebla. No matter what, I will give it my best shot once more. In the end, every WTCC point can prove decisive,” said Müller.

Augusto Farfus was the best BMW-driver during the WTCC premiere but feels that Mexico is going to be difficult.

“From a BMW perspective, Puebla is not exactly the ideal place to go for the WTCC. That’s not to say I don’t like the place. I always enjoy being in the Americas – even if Puebla is very different to Curitiba,” said Farfus.

The BMW Italy-Spain drivers Alessandro Zanardi and Sergio Hernández agree with their other team mates and does not hold the Mexico race very high.

“The two races in Puebla don’t necessarily come very high on my list of favourites. But that doesn’t change the fact that I want to forget about my poor start in Curitiba. The circuit doesn’t suit our cars, and the same goes for the height of the place. But if the opportunity arises to get a good result then I’ll grab it,” said Zanardi

“The start in Brazil went quite well for me. If possible I want to make it into the second qualifying segment in Puebla, so I can be in a good position to pick up points in the races,” said team mate Hernández.