Jason Plato has warned Matt Neal "one slip and I’ll be in there" ahead of their Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title-decider at Silverstone this weekend.
SEAT driver Plato needs to make up 35 points on Neal in Sunday’s final three rounds – a tall order considering only a maximum of 52 will be on offer.
But Oxford-based Plato, the 2001 champion, believes he will be in a strong enough position to capitalise should Neal encounter any problems.
Plato said in the Silverstone paddock: "If I was in Matt Neal’s shoes I’d be as cool as a cucumber. All he’s got to do is walk straight and he’s got it wrapped up.
"He has a monstrous lead and I'm a realist and know what it would take for things to turn around – either divine intervention or for Matt to make a stupid mistake.
"That said, I feel the SEAT will be strong at Silverstone and if he slips up then I’ll be in a competitive enough position to take advantage."
Neal, driving his Team Halfords Honda, is on the verge a second successive BTCC Drivers’ title. However, this weekend’s BTCC grid will be the biggest for 12 years with 26 cars taking to the track and with lap times expected to be the closest of the season Neal knows he must not get caught up in battles for minor positions.
Plato added: "If I get into the lead of a race then I’m not going to walk off into the distance. I’ll deliberately try to stack the field back to cause a bit of confusion behind and with so many cars on the track then maybe something can happen in true touring car style.
"But I definitely do not want the title decided by me or one of my team-mates coming into contact with Matt."
Plato also rued the fact he has lost so many points to Neal through retirements – this year he has failed to finish seven races while Neal has only stopped twice.
"It’s been the most unlucky season I’ve ever had in my career," said Plato. "I can’t recall one race meeting where I’ve had a pair of retirements and this season that’s happened at three meetings.
"Also, every time I have stopped I’ve been in a strong points position. If I’d had two retirements like Matt we’d be going into this weekend just about neck and neck on points.
"But I’m very proud with what we’ve achieved as a team. We’ve taken some fairly big kicks in the goolies but we’re still in with a chance at the final meeting."
Plato celebrates his 39th birthday today (Saturday) where in the qualifying session when he will be going for his fourth pole position in a row ahead of the final three rounds of the season on Sunday.
