Priaulx to play safe in home race

The reigning WTCC champion is just one point behind Augusto Farfus in the standings with three rounds remaining, and Priaulx believes that consistent points scoring is vital if he wants to win a third consecutive world championship.

"The home crowd does give you good motivation and I can only think what it would be like to win in front of them," said the BMW driver.

"But it's not so important that I'd risk an easy second place to win though. This championship is all about consistency."

Priaulx was on course for a victory in the second race at Brands Hatch last year, but he went off while leading in the treacherous conditions, and at the time he feared the error would eventually cost him the title.

The British driver added that his home event would be a tough one, as his BMW 320si is not well suited to the circuit.

"The main problem for us at Brands is that we're compromised on the gear ratios," he said. "We have a five-speed, H-pattern box and we need a six-speed sequential like some of our rivals.

"It means we're on the rev limiter a lot on the back straight and compromises our ratios for some crucial corners."

The 33-year-old admitted that success ballast would also play a part in the weekend, as five drivers will be on the maximum amount of 60 kilograms.

"It will all really depend on weight," he said. "I'll be pretty heavy as I'm doing well in the championship, but I still think we can do alright."