N.technology Alfa Romeo driver Augusto Farfus is a promising 22 year old who comes from Curitiba in Brazil. He finished last year's FIA World Touring Car Championship season by winning one of the two rounds held in the Far East at Macau, and began the new 2006 season by taking victory in race two at the season opener in Monza earlier this month.

Question marks were raised as to whether the long-serving and highly successful Alfa 156 could be competitive at the top level this year. After clearing out three of their four factory drivers at the end of last year, including former FIA European Touring Car Champions Fabrizio Giovanardi and Gabriele Tarquini, Alfa Romeo are running their 2006 campaign under the banner of N.technology. Major track rivals SEAT and BMW are both fielding a horde of new cars and throwing money at their title title. Meanwhile, Farfus came through a difficult race one to sweep to an imperious victory in the second race at Monza. Sitting second in the drivers' championship at these early stages, could this be Farfus' year to shine.

The official FIA WTCC website interviewed Farfus this week asking him: Monza was a great start for the season for you and somewhat unexpected? "It was like a dream," said the Brazilian, "I had a hard winter unsure about this year so I went there simply to drive. We planned to fight hard but didn't think we would be as good as the BMW and SEATs. The car was competitive, I drove to my best and the whole experience was a pleasure."