Augusto Farfus prepared for battle

Despite facing an uphill challenge, Augusto Farfus is ready to go all out to secure his first World Touring Car Championship title when the series visits Macau this weekend.

Since the reincarnation of the WTCC in 2005, BMW has claimed the driver’s and manufacturer’s double in three of the four years, each time with Andy Priaulx as the victorious driver.

The break in the chain was last year when Frenchman Yvan Muller took the title, with SEAT taking the manufacturer’s crown.

Farfus heads to the season finale in Macau with a 13-point deficit compared to championship leader Gabriele Tarquini, but he is determined to give his all to claim the title.

“BMW and I will do everything in our power to win both titles in Macau and bring them back to Munich”, said Farfus.

The 26-year old from Curitiba in Brazil added, “I have nothing to lose and will give it my very best shot”.

In 2006, Farfus landed in Macau in the lead of the championship with Alfa Romeo, but a large amount of success ballast meant that he didn’t stand a feasible chance of wining the title on that attempt.

This year the compensation weights for the three drivers vying for the WTCC crown are equal, and Farfus acknowledges this as being considerably different to 2006.

“This has little in common with the situation three years ago. This time I am not going into battle with a blunt weapon”, said Farfus.

Farfus’ season so far has boasted five race victories , the highest number of any driver in the field. The points haul for these wins has been marred by a number of non-points finishes, amongst those a weekend to forget in the Czech Republic.

At Brno Farfus qualified on pole position, alongside Andy Priaulx. The rolling start saw the field tightly packed as they headed towards the fast right hander.

When nearing the corner Farfus moved across from the inside of the track and made contact with Priaulx. The contact caused Farfus to spear off the track and out of the race.

Much was said and written of the incident at the time, but speaking of the incident Farfus said, “The one blot on my record this season is Brno. I made a mistake there and lost valuable points”.

He also added, “I don’t think I am the only driver that has happened to this season though. Unfortunately in my case it was clear for everyone to see, as I had started from pole position”.

Despite the obviously difficult challenge he faces, Farfus is determined to put in a good performance, and hope that luck, and ultimately results, will go his way this weekend.

“It goes without saying that Gabriele Tarquini and Yvan Muller are in a significantly better position”, he said”.

He was also quick to point out the unpredictable nature of the Macau races, “However, Macau has always produced a lot of surprises” he added.

Racing is sure to be intense and exciting throughout the meeting at Macau, especially given Farfus’ desire to triumph.

You can follow all of the news as it happens from Macau at TouringCarTimes.com.