Interview with BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen.
Munich, 08th November 2006. The countdown for the FIA World Touring Car
Championship (WTCC) season finale is on. Prior to rounds 19 and 20 at Macau's
(CHN) "Guia Circuit", nine drivers are still in the fight for the drivers'
title. Three contenders are racing a BMW 320si WTCC: Reigning champion Andy
Priaulx (GBR) of BMW Team UK as well as both BMW Team Germany drivers, Jörg
Müller (GER) and Dirk Müller (GER). In addition, BMW holds the lead in the
Manufacturers' Championship and is set to defend the title in the former
Portuguese colony. In this interview, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen,
talks about the showdown in the Far East and reviews the exciting season.
Mr Theissen, as it was the case in 2005, the WTCC title fight will be decided
in Macau. Is this a worthy venue for the finale?
Mario Theissen: "Yes for sure. I was on site last year, when Andy Priaulx
clinched the drivers' title and we won the Manufacturers' Championship. It was
a unique atmosphere, and I was deeply impressed. The circuit poses an
inimitable challenge for the drivers in the final event of the season. The Guia
Circuit is evocative of the narrow streets of Monaco. Street circuits of that
kind deserve their reputation of being extremely demanding."
Does it come as a surprise to you that any one of nine drivers can still be
champion?
Theissen: "I assess this situation with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it's
great that we still have three strings to our bow. Combined with the fact that
we are leading the manufacturers' classification, this proves the
competitiveness of the BMW 320si in its very first season. From the
manufacturer's angle, however, we have to keep a critical view of the close
field of competitors which has been brought about by individual handicaps and
compromises."
For the fans there just cannot be enough excitement...
Theissen: "That's true. I'm also happy we didn't have an early title decider.
We have seen 11 different race winners this season, representing four
manufacturers. As far as excitement among the drivers is concerned, it couldn't
get any better. However, the WTCC is not only about the drivers, but we fought
for the manufacturers' title as well. Such a title only makes sense, if the
best car is in the front at the end of the year. The title loses its
significance and an ambitious manufacturer loses its interest, if the cars'
performance is levelled via the regulations."
How do you rate the performance of the three BMW title aspirants?
Theissen: "Over the course of the season, Andy Priaulx not only scored points
on a regular basis, but also turned out to be a multiple race winner. To date
he made it onto the top step of the podium four times, thus winning three more
races than last year - when he won the title. Jörg Müller leaped into third
position in the drivers' classification thanks to an impressive performance in
the second half of the season. Overall, he won three races. Jörg knows Macau
very well. His experience will be an advantage for him. Dirk Müller is the
underdog this year. In 2005, he travelled to Macau as championship leader and
was beaten by Andy. Furthermore, the handicap weight will play an important
role in the final two rounds."
What do you expect from the other three drivers in the BMW national teams?
Theissen: "Alessandro Zanardi again made some special moments in this year's
World Touring Car Championship and celebrated another win in Istanbul after
claiming his first WTCC victory in Oschersleben 2005. This is an outstanding
achievement. I'm confident that he will also be a factor in Macau. The same
goes for his BMW Team Italy-Spain team-mate, Duncan Huisman. No other driver
has scored more wins at this track than the Dutchman. Jan Magnussen will also
support us in our quest for the manufacturers' title. He is an experienced
driver who already knows the BMW 320si from the Danish Touring Car
Championship."
What is so fascinating about the World Touring Car Championship?
Theissen: "In Formula One and in most of the other racing categories, it's
essential to avoid all contact with an opponent on the track. This is different
in the WTCC. Often the contact is even welcomed, when drivers lean on their
rivals to gain fractions of a second in corners. This is truly unique. The
races are very exciting and offer a lot of action. So far, every World Touring
Car Champion has won the title in a BMW. I hope that this will still be the
case after the season finale in Macau."
What does Alessandro Zanardi's test with the BMW Sauber F1 Team mean to you?
Theissen: I'm delighted that we can give Alessandro the opportunity to make his
return at the wheel of an F1 car. A couple of months ago he asked me about this
topic rather as a joke. Now, this joke will become reality. Our engineers were
able to modify the BMW Sauber F1.06 for his specific needs. I'm really excited
about the test."