BMW expects SEAT to dominate again

Despite rule changes designed to peg back the straightline speed of its turbo-diesel engine, champion squad SEAT proved unstoppable in the Curitiba season-opener ten days ago. The Spanish team swept the top four places in both races, charging to the front with ease even in the reverse grid second race.

SEAT's advantage is expected to grow at Puebla, as the Mexican track's altitude (it is 2,302 metres above sea level) favours the turbo-diesel engine. BMW is also pessimistic about its chances against its front wheel drive rivals given the circuit's slow and twisty infield section.

Former champion Andy Priaulx only scored two points in Brazil, and already sees Puebla as a damage limitation exercise.

"I'm under no illusions: we are definitely not the favourites to finish top in Puebla this year," he said.

"My goal is to score some points. To achieve that I need to finish in the top ten in qualifying and come through the two races without any incident."

Jorg Muller and Augusto Farfus shared 'best of the rest' honours at Curitiba with a fifth place each, and while the German driver was satisfied that he had achieved the maximum possible in Brazil, he expects the SEATs to remain unstoppable this weekend.

"I am personally quite happy with my start to the season in Brazil. I feel in great shape and was able to show that in the second race," said Muller.

"I am concerned though that the SEATs will again be in a league of their own in Puebla.

"No matter what, I will give it my best shot once more. In the end, every WTCC point can prove decisive."

SEAT has played down its superiority ahead of Puebla, with the team's chief engineer Benoit Bagur suggesting that the rules tweaks might have a bigger effect at this circuit.

"The altitude of the Puebla track works in our favour a bit," Bagur admitted. "However, we don't know how the engine will perform since we haven't tested it with the new turbo flange at this altitude."