Two years ago André Couto crashed out from the lead at Macau whilst guest-driving for N.Technology in the Alfa Romeo 156 (above) and is now relishing this second opportunity in the car. Lead driver James Thompson is currently just 12 points off the championship lead after a sensational second half of the season for the Italian squad. André Couto will replace N.Technology Alfa Romeo’s second driver in the WTCC this season, Dutchman Olivier Tielemans.

With everything to play for as the FIA World Touring Car Championship enters its closing stages in Macau next weekend, N.Technology Alfa Romeo has brought in local driver André Couto to further strengthen the side with his track knowledge.

Lead driver James Thompson is currently just 12 points off the championship lead after a sensational second half of the season for the Italian squad. Now Couto, who won the F3 Macau GP in 2000, has pledged to do all he can to back his new team-mate’s championship hopes. Couto will replace N.Technology Alfa Romeo’s second driver, Dutchman Olivier Tielemans.

“It’s quite amazing for such a small squad to be in this position against the likes of BMW, Chevrolet and SEAT,” said the 30-year-old, who took pole position in the 2003 Macau Guia race driving an Alfa Romeo 147. “This team is very clever with its equipment and I hope I can give them some insight into the particular demands of Macau, although they have already had a lot of success here!” In 2005 Couto crashed out from the lead whilst guest-driving for N.Technology in the Alfa Romeo 156 and is now relishing this second opportunity in the car, which has won two races this season in the hands of Thompson but before that had won 13 touring car titles since 1998.

“Our scoring this year has been entirely down to the hard work of our team,” said N.Technology Team Manager, Andrea Muller, who says the car itself is little-changed since it was first introduced. “Strengthening the side with Couto’s specialist knowledge can only help, although we are realistic in our championship hopes. We will have to be very lucky to win from so far behind, but only a few weeks ago our Italian team Ferrari were in a similar position and they are now World Champions so you never know; we must try!”

Eurosport’s WTCC coverage begins Friday 16 November with qualifying shown live on Eurosport International and Asia Pacific at 09:15 (CET). Race One will be shown on Sunday 18 November from 04:45 with Race Two starting at and 06:00, both on Eurosport International and Asia Pacific.

André Couto Career highlights: 1991: Winner, Macau Formula Intercontinental A Championship; 1992: Winner, Macau Formula A Championship; 1994: Asian Champion, CIK/FIA Challenge Asia Zone Karting; 1997: Runner-up, Italian F3 Championship; 1998: Rookie of the Year, FIA International F3000 Championship; 2000: Winner, 47th Macau Grand Prix. Winner, Macau Korea Challenge; 2002: Formula Super Nissan; 2003: FIA European Touring Car Championship. Macau Guia race (pole position); 2004: Runner-up, All-Japan GT Championship; 2005: Winner, International Pokka 1000km race. WTCC Macau races (retired while leading); 2006: Japanese Super GT series. WTCC Macau races with SEAT Sport