Muller criticises ballast rules

On the eve of the WTCC title showdown between Alfa Romeo's Fabrizio Giovanardi and BMW's Dirk Muller and Andy Priaulx, Muller fears that newcomers could blight the championship contest.

In particular, he is worried that the outcome of the three-way championship contest could be influenced by the front running Alfa Romeo of Andre Couto and BMW's Duncan Huisman, who have both been drafted into the series for the final event in Macau.

"I don't like the new regulations that say that a new driver comes into the series with no ballast," Muller told autosport.com. "There is a chance for them to mess around at the front and have a role in the outcome of the championship fight. I don't like it."

Couto and Huisman's complete lack of ballast contrasts with the fact that the three championship contenders and Jorg Muller are all carrying 60 kg of extra weight.

Muller believes that the title battle between BMW and Alfa Romeo will be very close in Macau, but has said he is only thinking about the best result for himself and his German manufacturer team at the moment.

"We still need about 20 points to win the manufacturers' championship for BMW and at the moment I am going out there looking at going for first place," said Muller, who won the last race in Valencia.

"But of course if the situation calls for it, I will happily help out my teammates. I'm not going to do anything stupid that is for sure."

Dirk Muller heads into the Macau finale with a one point lead over Priaulx, with Giovanardi a further four points adrift.