BMW Motorsport
WTCC 2006 - FIA World Touring Car Championship
Mission: to defend the title.
After the successful revival of the FIA World Touring Car
Championship (WTCC) last year, the series enters its second
season in 2006. 1987 and 2005 saw the world's best touring
car drivers vying for the crown in this racing discipline,
and on each occasion it was a BMW driver who swept up the
world championship title. Following in the tyre tracks of
Roberto Ravaglia (ITA), who prevailed 19 years ago driving
a BMW M3, Andy Priaulx (GBR) mounted the top step of the podium
at the end of last year's season. But that wasn't all: BMW
also managed to secure the manufacturers' title with the BMW
320i, while BMW privateer driver Marc Hennerici (GER) took
the Independents Trophy.
This raft of triumphs marked the end of the unique career
of the BMW 320i touring car, and a highly promising successor
is already waiting in the wings: the BMW 320si. BMW Motorsport's
engineers developed this compelling race car - driven by a
four-cylinder engine with around 275 bhp - on the basis of
the production model of the same name. The BMW 320si, available
in a limited edition of 2,600 roadgoing cars, provided the
developers with an excellent basis on which to build a powerful
race version.
"I am convinced the BMW 320si will carry on the BMW
success story in touring car racing", says BMW Motorsport
Director Mario Theissen. This year's WTCC should prove even
more exciting than in 2005. There are new manufacturers involved,
the field of participants will expand further and there are
some new venues in the calendar. Overall, the World Touring
Car Championship offers everything a race series needs. With
our three national teams and the new BMW 320si, we are in
a good position to be up there with the front-runners again."
DRIVERS
Andy Priaulx (GBR) – Car number 1.
When it comes to the crunch, you can depend on Andy Priaulx.
Once again last season the racing driver, who lives in the
Channel Island of Guernsey with his wife Joanne and his two
children, provided evidence of that. In a dramatic final,
he delivered another coruscating display of his driving talent
on the challenging city circuit of Macau to take the title
in the first World Touring Car Championship since 1987. Once
before, in the 2004 European Championship, Priaulx had clinched
overall victory in the season’s final race.
Apart from his outstanding skills at the wheel of his BMW,
Priaulx’s mental strength makes him arguably the best
touring car driver around today. Even if he doesn’t
make it to the top of the podium in every race, he remains
consistently unfazed, always keeping his target firmly in
his sights.
In 2005 he won just one race – in Oschersleben –
but collected world championship points in 16 out of 20 races.
This consistency has paid dividends in Priaulx’s career
so far and earned him the reputation of a title collector.
If the reigning champion has his way, it will be the same
scenario again in 2006.
Questions for Andy Priaulx:
First the 2004 ETCC title, then winner of last year’s
WTCC.
Has your appetite for success now been sated?
No, absolutely not. That’s never going to happen.
Anyone who has experienced the highs of motor racing and made
it right to the top will want to keep going back there. You
can never get enough of it. If a surfer has ridden the perfect
wave, he won’t say afterwards that he doesn’t
want to experience that sensation again. No, I definitely
haven’t had my fill of victories. I’m still hungry.
Would you say 2005 was a perfect season for you?
From the point of view of results, the season actually was
perfect. I ended up World Champion, won the 24-Hour Race on
the Nürburgring with Team BMW Motorsport and took a couple
of Formula One tests. But there’s always room for improvement.
Good results only come from hard work. That’s why we’re
starting from scratch again in 2006.
Is it fair to say you are going from strength to
strength with every year?
I certainly hope so. I’m gaining experience with every
season and no longer making the mistakes I might have done
at the outset of my career. But needless to say I still recognise
my own weaknesses. Year after year I work towards eliminating
them. That’s actually going quite well. In 2006 you’re
racing with the relatively small RBM Team again.
What is it that marks out this team?
We work together very closely and have an honest relationship
with each other. The team and I have the same goals that we
want to achieve together. It’s crucial that our expectations
match up. At a personal level, we also fit together well.
The crew knows I’m one hundred percent behind them –
and I know I can rely on the team one hundred percent. It’s
a good feeling knowing you’ve got that kind of team
backing you up.
Do you find it hard saying goodbye to the BMW 320i
with which you celebrated so many triumphs?
Progress is the main driving force in motor sport. Only
those who keep on developing are going to be successful on
the track. That’s why the anticipation of the new BMW
320si is paramount. Its predecessor has secured a place in
motor racing history and brought victory to drivers all over
the world. I became World Champion and European Champion with
the BMW 320i, so there’s a lot that binds me to that
car. But now we’re entering a new era, and I’m
pleased to be involved right from the start.
How do you size up the competition this year?
I have a great respect for my opponents on the race track.
Driving standards in the WTCC are very high. That’s
why you can never plan a good result in such a close field.
You have to work hard for it. I’ll be giving my best
again in 2006 to do that.
Silverstone has been dropped from the 2006 racing
calendar.What do you think of the Brands Hatch circuit?
I love Silverstone, which is where I spent a lot of time
as an instructor. And I love Brands Hatch. The two circuits
are very different. Silverstone is a Formula One track and
therefore much more modern. At Brands Hatch, on the other
hand, you can sense the heritage at every turn. I can hardly
wait to race in the UK again and I’m looking forward
to the support of the fans, which I hope will be as tremendous
as in Silverstone last year.
Dirk Müller (GER) – Car number 43.
Dirk Müller finished both the 2004 FIA ETCC and last
year’s World Touring Car Championship as runner-up.
Both times he had to concede defeat by the narrowest of margins
to his fellow-BMW driver Andy Priaulx. Last year the man from
Germany’s Siegerland had flown out to the former Portuguese
colony of Macau with a one-point lead over Priaulx. The race
weekend in Istanbul aside, Dirk Müller had previously
maintained his world championship lead in every race. But
he came away from the season final empty-handed – and
Priaulx took the title. But Dirk Müller is not one to
be discouraged. Quite the opposite: from his narrow defeats
in 2004 and 2005, the family man has drawn the incentive to
set to work in this year’s FIA WTCC with even an even
sharper focus and commitment. His goal has remained the same:
he aims to win the world championship for BMW. Like so many
successful racing drivers, Dirk Müller began his career
in a go-kart. After his first races as a 14-year-old, he rapidly
rose through the higher categories, collecting successes both
in Formula and sports car racing. Among the highlights were
winning the GT Class in the 2000 American Le Mans Series (ALMS)
and overall victory in the 1998 Porsche Carrera Cup. Dirk
Müller also proved that he ranks among the best over
long distances in the two most recent 24-Hour Races on the
Nürburgring. As the final driver in 2004, he consummated
victory for the BMW M3 GTR, while in 2005 he finished the
event in second place with his team-mates Jörg Müller
and Hans-Joachim Stuck from Ellmau.
Questions for Dirk Müller:
After being runner-up in 2004 and 2005, how great
is your incentive to make it to the top this year?
The incentive is there one hundred percent. I was very glad
when the winter break was finally over and we were able to
start testing again. But I know that a title victory in such
a closely-fought championship as the WTCC can’t be programmed
ahead. You also need a large dose of good luck. Simply being
fast over a weekend isn’t usually enough. Last year
I was top of the drivers’ standings in eight out of
ten race weekends. Looking back on that, I feel a little bit
of pride. So obviously I want to be at the top again in 2006.
You became a father last year. How do you enjoy your
new role?
It’s indescribable and by far the best experience
of my life. Before that, I just couldn’t imagine what
it would be like to be a father, but Mina-Emily is an absolute
delight to Daniela and myself. I really enjoyed the winter
months when we were able to spend a lot of time together.
For me that’s another reason to race really fast in
2006 and get back to the little one as quickly as possible.
What’s your impression of the new BMW 320si?
I’m really glad to have been allowed behind the wheel
when the car was rolled out, which is why I already feel a
close bond with the BMW 320si. The car has tremendous potential.
I’m convinced we will make further progress over the
20 races and win races with it. The engineers have done some
fantastic development work again. If we’re as strong
with the new car as we were with the BMW 320i, that in itself
will be a sensational success. The forerunner, after all,
already had a few years of continuous development on the clock.
How important is it to know there’s a strong
team behind you?
That varies from driver to driver. In my case, the support
of the team and my family plays a major role. I’m proud
and happy to have been racing successfully with Schnitzer
Motorsport for some years now. We spend a lot of time together
in the course of a season, so a good atmosphere in the team
is essential. At any rate, I feel very comfortable with BMW
Team Germany.
Do you enjoy tackling new challenges, such as racing
on new circuits, for example?
It’s always good to experience something new and to
have to adjust to unfamiliar situations. Curitiba and Brands
Hatch are new to the calendar this year. I know the circuit
in Brno from past races when it was part of the ETCC calendar.
So there’s some variety lined up compared with last
year. That’s good for the series and it’s something
I personally enjoy.
After the race in Oschersleben the Football World
Championship starts in Germany. Will you be following the
matches?
I’m a keen football fan, so I’ll certainly be
crossing my fingers for the German team. As far as time allows,
I’ll watch the games on television. Maybe I’ll
even get to see one of them live in the stadium. I’m
sure the tournament is going to be incredibly exciting –
and hopefully with a good result for Jürgen Klinsmann’s
team.
Jörg Müller (GER) – Car number 42.
Since his debut in the European Championship in 2001, Jörg
Müller has made an enduring impression on touring car
racing. Twice he fought for the European title right up to
the end, and he was a regular sight on the podiums of the
ETCC. In 2004 he claimed no fewer than twelve wins –
a feat unmatched by any other BMW driver. With the return
of the World Touring Car Championship last year, Jörg
Müller was again a sure bet for winning performances.
By the end of the season he had three race wins to his name,
including an impressive triumph in Magny-Cours where he came
first in qualifying and went on to win both races and record
the fastest lap in each.
However, with more than his share of bad luck the BMW works
driver from Kerkrade in Holland was unable to join the battle
for the title. As in the season as a whole, Jörg Müller
wasn’t exactly showered with luck at the final in Macau
either and had to retire shortly after the start of the first
race. At the same venue a year previously, he had made history
when he followed up his victory in the 1993 Macau F3 Grand
Prix by winning the touring car event. No other driver had
managed to claim success in both these disciplines on the
labyrinthine city circuit. Jörg Müller picked up
his first experiences on the kart track aged 15. This was
followed by titles in Formula Ford, Formula 3 and Formula
3000. As a test driver for Arrows, BMW and Sauber, he then
drew attention to himself in Formula One as well. His racing
passion also encompasses long distances.
He has competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours for BMW, Nissan and
Porsche. In the American Le Mans Series he celebrated victories
in the BMW V12 LMR and won the GT Class there in 2001 with
the BMW M3 GTR. In the same car he won the 2004 Nürburgring
24-Hour Race with Team BMW Motorsport. Once again he was taking
it in turns at the wheel of the BMW M3 GTR with Hans-Joachim
Stuck and Dirk Müller.
Questions for Jörg Müller:
You have a new car to drive in 2006. What was your
impression when you first took the BMW 320si out onto the
track?
Even before I got inside the car I had an aha-experience
with the BMW 320si. When I first saw it I could hardly believe
my eyes. This car is simply beautiful. If it’s anywhere
near as successful in the races as it seems at first glance,
this is going to be a great year. During testing, my impression
was confirmed out on the track. We were fast right from the
word go. Without any exaggeration, you could talk of love
at first sight. But the true potential of the car will only
be shown in the first races.
Did you have to adapt your driving style to the
BMW 320si?
The car feels more like a Formula racer and responds more
directly than its predecessor, but even so it doesn’t
mean you have to radically change your style. The main thing
is to adjust the details of your driving style to the car.
A racing driver quickly adapts to a car’s responses.
How exciting is it to be involved in the development
of a new race car?
It’s a fascinating experience every time. I’ve
often worked on the development of new cars for BMW in the
past. It’s one of the most interesting tasks of all.
You’re confronted with new technologies and have to
test components, and you edge your way step by step towards
the limit.
How important is experience at the wheel of a touring
car?
One mustn’t overestimate a racing driver’s experience.
When I take a close look at the WTCC field of competitors,
I can see a lot of drivers who have already notched up countless
seasons of touring car racing. I’m certainly not the
only experienced driver. On the other hand, experience naturally
helps me get a better grip on this or that situation in the
course of a race than I would have done in the past.
Your team-mate Dirk Müller finished the 2005
season ahead of you. How important is the internal duel within
the team for you?
Comparing yourself to your team-mate is the most important
thing. Both of you are racing with the same hardware. A driver’s
strength comes to the fore in the contest with a direct rival.
I know how strong my team-mate Dirk Müller is, but I
also know what I’m capable of. We’re certainly
going to fight an exciting duel and motivate each other to
peak performances.
How do you take your mind off motor sport between
races?
I really enjoy diving, which allows me to switch off totally.
For me it’s the most wonderful thing to be under water,
floating along and hearing only the sound of my own breathing.
One day’s diving does more for me than several weeks’
holiday. I’m going to try and fit these chill-out moments
into my schedule as often as possible this year again.
What advice would you give young talents aspiring
to a successful motor racing career?
As an instructor for Formula BMW Germany, I’m very
much involved in working with young drivers. My advice to
the youngsters is always that they should not overestimate
themselves. Often a driver’s environment creates pressures
and expectations that are pitched too high. You have to keep
your feet on the ground. Only then can you hope to be successful.
Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) – Car number 4.
When Alessandro Zanardi crossed the finishing line in Oschersleben
on 28th August 2005, he created a moment of magic in motor
sport history. Prior to Zanardi, no leg amputee had managed
to claim a motor racing victory. Lap for lap the Italian had
fought off the attacks mounted by his fellow- BMW drivers
Jörg Müller and Andy Priaulx before clinching his
greatest triumph since his horrific accident at the Eurospeedway
Lausitz in 2001.
Time after time Zanardi manages to redefine the limits of
what is possible. When he celebrated his return to motor racing
at the 2003 ETCC race in Monza, it seemed unlikely that he
would ever finish another race on the podium. The racing driver
from Bologna, however, proved all the sceptics wrong and,
with a unique iron will, worked his way back to the top. In
2005 Zanardi drove into the points nine times and followed
up his win at Oschersleben with another podium finish in Istanbul.
The second half of the season in particular saw his performance
curve rise and he made a perfect job of teasing out the potential
of the BMW 320i that had been specially modified for his needs.
Apart from his successes in the WTCC, he also secured the
Italian Touring Car Championship title and won a race in the
European Touring Car Cup in Vallelunga.
In the course of his career, the BMW Team Italy-Spain driver
has demonstrated his talent in virtually every major race
series around the world and raked in countless titles. Whether
in Formula One, in the American CART Series or, earlier, in
his Formula 3000 racing days, Zanardi never failed to make
his mark. To this day, he remains the only driver in the CART
Series to have won the “Rookie of the Year” title
and two championship titles in successive years.
But even away from the race track Zanardi has always enthralled
his fans with his extraordinary joie de vivre. Back in 1997
he already received the “Colourful Character Award”
in the USA, and in 2005 he was honoured by the Laureus World
Sports Academy for his “Comeback of the Year”.
Since his accident, Zanardi has become a role model for many
people, and it is one he lives up to with pride. On 10th March
the 39-year-old opened the Winter Paralympics in Turin.
Questions for Alessandro Zanardi:
With your victory in Oschersleben you sent waves
of emotion through the motor racing world. In retrospect,
what does this success mean to you?
The response to my victory was a source of great honour and
pride for me. It was undoubtedly one of the most significant
successes of my career, but not because I was competing with
a handicap. I had to fight hard to earn that
victory and assert myself against some of the strongest drivers
in the world. But I’m not prepared to rest on my laurels.
We are working non-stop to become even stronger. Drivers,
especially if they’re from Italy, are very superstitious
and often don’t like to look at the past. I’m
the same. I prefer to look to the future – and I’ve
got plenty of plans.
How realistic is the prospect of further wins in
season 2006?
Towards the end of the last season, there were only a few
drivers who made more points than I did. So there was a clear
upward trend, which gives us an added incentive. But naturally
we can’t expect 2006 to continue in that vein and assume
we will win the championship. The realistic goal is to fight
for regular podium places. And with a bit of luck there might
be another win on the cards. But first we have to continue
improving in many areas.
Is the WTCC going to be even more exciting this year?
In the past the championship has undergone a fast and positive
development. Now we are heading for a decisive phase. The
WTCC has attracted the interest of many manufacturers and
presents an opportunity to compete in one of just three FIA-approved
world championships on a relatively small budget. That is
why the field of competitors will continue to grow. The more
cars competing against each other at a high level, the more
exciting the world championship will get.
In 2006 you will only be appearing in one event in
Italy…
Yes, Imola has been dropped from this year’s calendar.
It makes me feel a little sad. It’s a fantastic circuit,
and we acquitted ourselves very well there last year. Fortunately
in 2006 I’ll be racing in the Italian Touring Car Championship
again, and that will be stopping off in Imola. I’m looking
forward to the new circuits in the WTCC calendar. As a general
rule it isn’t so important where you race. If you do
well, you can enjoy any venue.
There are plans to make a film of your life. What
can you tell us about that project?
There are indeed people who are convinced my story could
be a box-office hit. I’m very proud of that. Currently
it’s at the initial planning stage, but I really don’t
know whether the film will ever materialise. If it does, then
I’m sure I’ll be involved in some way.
Who could play you on the big screen?
That’s not an easy question. The actor that springs
to mind is Russell Crowe…
Marcel Costa (ESP) – Car number 5.
Taking part in the 2006 World Touring Car Championship for
BMW Team Italy-Spain is a longstanding dream come true for
Marcel Costa. The 27-year-old aims to make a lasting impression
amid the strong field of starters in this year’s WTCC.
Costa’s career began on the kart track, and he drew
attention to himself early on even beyond his home town of
Guardiola del Bergueda near Barcelona. Among his achievements
are finishing second in the 1995 Spanish Kart Championship.
The years that followed saw Costa move away from home in
order to appear in the international racing arena, where he
competed in the French Formula Campus and in Formula Renault.
But the breakthrough came after he returned to his native
country. After an apprenticeship year in 2001, which he completed
in seventh place, he claimed the 2002 title in the Spanish
Formula 3 Championship. The WTCC debutant also extended his
experience in GT car racing and made appearances throughout
Europe.
Away from the race track Costa is also mainly occupied with
sport. He is a passionate skier and loves watching all kinds
of sports on television. As an instructor at a motor sport
and driving safety school, he also passes on his experience
to other motorists and up-and-coming racing drivers.
When it comes to technology, Costa is also an expert, possessing
a degree in aerospace technology. In 2006 he will invest all
his energies into collecting world championship points for
BMW Team Italy-Spain along with Alessandro Zanardi.
Questions for Marcel Costa:
What does it mean to you to be competing in the 2006
FIA WTCC?
I’m very glad to have the opportunity to test my skills
against the world’s best touring car drivers this year.
I’ve been waiting for a long time for this chance to
prove my talent in such a major series.
Did you follow the championship races last year?
Yes, naturally I watched as many races as possible. The field
is studded with top-notch drivers. I’ve got some adjusting
to do as I have previously only raced in Formula cars and
GT racing cars. I need to build up some experience especially
when it comes to duels with lots of cars up close together.
But I’m convinced that I will soon get used to the BMW
320si and be able to do a good job.
How important is motor sport in your home country
Spain?
Motor sport plays a major role in Spain. In the past the
fans were mainly interested in motorbike racing, but since
Fernando Alonso won the Formula One World Championship the
Spaniards have been crazy about four-wheeled racing as well.
I would like to do my bit in 2006 to help raise the WTCC profile
in my country. You’ll have a good opportunity to do
that at your home race in Valencia… Yes, I’m particularly
looking forward to the two races in Valencia. It’s always
nice to be behind the wheel against a home backdrop. The races
at the Circuit de la Comunitat Ricardo Tormo are the last
ones on the European leg of the WTCC season. Then we go off
to Macau for the final. The position at the outset of the
Valencia event should therefore be very exciting this year.
I like the circuit and hope that I can deliver a good performance
for my Spanish compatriots.
What goals have you set yourself for your first WTCC
season?
For me the first priority will be to gather as much experience
as possible. I want to learn and improve step by step. Of
course I’m also determined to pick up world championship
points to help BMW defend its manufacturers’ title.
Are you looking forward to working together with
team manager Roberto Ravaglia and Alessandro Zanardi?
Roberto is a great guy – and an incredible racing driver
into the bargain. I used to watch him race on TV. I’m
grateful for the trust he has placed in me and hope I will
live up to his expectations. BMW Team Italy-Spain is one of
the strongest teams in the World Touring Car Championship.
Alessandro Zanardi proved that by winning at Oschersleben
last year. He is an exceptional sportsman, and I’m sure
I can learn a great deal from observing him. I could hardly
have wished for a stronger team around me for my debut in
the WTCC.
How are you preparing yourself for the 20 races?
I’m working hard to be able to get out onto the track
in peak shape right from the start. I spend several days a
week in the fitness studio working on my stamina. I’m
also motivated down to the roots and can hardly wait for the
first race.
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