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N.Technology Alfa Romeo heads to this year’s
final FIA World Touring Car Championship
rounds in Macau this weekend with a fighting
chance of winning the title with lead-driver
James Thompson. |
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N.Technology
Alfa Romeo heads to this year’s final FIA World Touring
Car Championship rounds in Macau this weekend with a
fighting chance of winning the title with lead-driver
James Thompson. The final meeting of the WTCC season
gets underway tomorrow on the streets of Macau with a
special free practice session to allow the drivers to
acclimatise themselves with the difficult circuit. Two
further two practice sessions will be held on Saturday
morning before final qualifying takes place at 1615
(local time).
Following his double win at
Valencia, Spain, the double British Touring Car Champion has been a regular top
finisher in the second half of the season; adding a further five podiums to his
tally and climbing to fourth in the drivers standings.
Still the top scorer in the last
eight WTCC races, ahead of joint championship leaders Andy Priaulx and Yvan
Muller, Thompson is the only driver to have claimed points at every round from
Anderstorp, Sweden, onwards.
“Fourth with two rounds to go, when the odds have been stacked against us
throughout the season, is definitely satisfying,” said Thompson. “But our goal
is still the championship. The whole team wants to win as much as I do; that’s
what racing is all about although no matter what happens this weekend, we have
enjoyed a superb season given our circumstances.”
N.Technology Alfa Romeo has run
against fellow manufacturer teams BMW, SEAT and Chevrolet all season, taking the
season’s only double win to date at Valencia and building on its established
success heritage.
“Taking pole and winning both races in Valencia was a great moment this year,”
added Thompson. “I would love to give the team a similar result for the season’s
final weekend. We have to be realistic, competition will be fierce but we have
become consistent podium finishers so I see no reason why we shouldn’t be right
at the top.”
The Italian outfit’s title bid will be supported by Macau expert André Couto
whose extensive experience includes previous Alfa Romeo drives with N.Technology
as well as regular racing on the streets of Macau.
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 06:00, both on
Eurosport International and Asia Pacific.
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