Plato not happy with points margin

The SEAT driver extended his lead over Fabrizio Giovanardi last weekend at Knockhill, but he was hoping to have a bigger cushion in the championship heading to a track where the Italian's Vauxhall should be strong.

"We should be seventeen or eighteen points up the road, not just nine ahead of Giovanardi," said Plato. "I just wish I had a little bit more in hand."

The weak area of the SEAT Leon has always been its speed on the straights, which could prove costly at the high-speed circuit that will host the season finale.

"I'm a little down if I'm honest, because I expected more at Knockhill. We're too slow on the bits that require no skill, and that's down the straights."

But despite his disappointment, the 2001 champion admitted that he was happy for the title fight to go to the last round.

"I'm pleased for the championship that it's gone down to the wire," he added. "I wouldn't want it any other way.

"We'll do the absolute best we can at the final meeting at Thruxton - and if it's good enough on the day we'll win, and if it's not we won't."