BMW Team UK’s current World Champion, Andy Priaulx, heads to the modified Puebla circuit, Mexico, this weekend looking to extend his lead at the top of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, but British driver, James Thompson, currently second in the championship, will be hoping to leapfrog Priaulx in the table, and increase the gap between himself and SEAT Sport team-mate, Gabrielle Tarquini, who lies in third.
Priaulx said: “The circuit in Puebla has been modified, particularly to increase safety, which was obviously the right decision. Overall, I don’t believe the basic track characteristics have changed dramatically. In 2005, we experienced how difficult it is for us to be up at the front in Puebla, especially when we are carrying a lot of weight. But I am familiar with this situation. Recently I have been able to use the reversed starting grid a few times and win, even with a lot of additional weight. Considering the 80 kilogram handicap, the track altitude and the particular layout of the circuit, however, I don’t expect an easy race weekend.”
Thompson said: “I remember Puebla very well, but for the wrong reasons – I remember the walls don’t move when you hit them. From a personal point of view, Croft [where he raced in the British Touring Car Championship on the 16th July] was a great weekend; it was good to be back racing in the BTCC again and fantastic to be able to celebrate the win in my local bar, instead of on a plane! Let’s hope I can keep the momentum going in Mexico.”
Italian favourite Gabriele Tarquini appears more confident of his chances: “Puebla was quite good for me last year and so I’m very optimistic for the León this year. Top speed isn’t so important, but there are lots of corners and so good handling is crucial.”
Puebla, which kick-starts the second half of the WTCC season with rounds 11 and 12, will also see Priaulx and Thompson face tough opposition from top-class drivers such as Yvan Muller of France and Sweden’s Rickard Rydell, as well as former Formula 1 aces Alex Zanardi and Nicola Larini.
Yet it’s another British hopeful who could be a surprise contender this weekend. Free from success ballast (weighting applied to high-scoring drivers cars to promote closer competition), Chevrolet’s Rob Huff is hoping to take full advantage in Mexico.
Huff said: “The revised track will be a lot safer even though it hasn’t changed that much. It is now a bit longer, but it was already a good track for our car last year, so from what we’ve learned over the past 12 months I think we should be good there.”
Qualifying will begin at 9.30pm UK time on Saturday, with the two races scheduled for 8.05pm and 9.15pm the following day. Race action will be live on Eurosport.
Driver Ballast for Puebla:
Andy Priaulx 80kg James Thompson 60kg Peter Terting 55kg Dirk Müller 50kg Gabriele Tarquini 45kg Jörg Müller 45kg
