Photo: BMW Media

Andy Priaulx expects Tarquini return

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Andy Priaulx expects Gabriele Tarquini to defend his WTCC title in a semi-works SEAT Leon TDi in 2010, despite the SEAT’s withdrawal. “I hear that Tarquini might be coming back with a SEAT diesel,” said Priaulx in an interview at the Autosport International show.

“That would be a semi-works effort with the same diesel engine and it’s going to be the same [as in 2009] again.”

While sorry to see the Spanish manufacturer leave, Priaulx expects more cars to join Michel Nykjaer, who announced he will drive a privateer Leon TDi for SUNRED Engineering in 2010.

“It is a shame to lose a manufacturer,” said Priaulx, “But unfortunately, the way the championship has been in the last two or three years with diesel power against petrol, it has caused a lot of problems.

The Guernseyman continued to the watching crowd that despite the reduced number of manufacturer entries in the WTCC, he still expected a tough fight.

“For me, even to beat my team-mate is going to be hard, never mind another 10 to 15 cars. Augusto [Farfus] is one of the fastest touring car drivers around at the moment. I had one of my best ever years in terms of driving performance last year and hopefully that can carry on.”

Priaulx’s programme for 2010 includes several endurance events for BMW, where he’ll be hoping for better luck than in David Brabham’s celebrity karting race in aid of Malaria No More UK. Team Priaulx, featuring Andy, Robbie Kerr, Chris Buncombe and Robin Liddell could only manage 16th position.