Theissen no fan of ballast penalties

Drivers could be forced to run up to 80 kilograms of success ballast during this season, and on some occasions it left genuine front-runners languishing near the back of the field.

While the result was a nine-driver showdown for the title at Macau recently, Theissen feels that the penalties were too much.

"The competition is certainly tough primarily due to the regulations which keep the cars close," he said.

"I am not always a fan of that, but certainly having nine drivers in contention for the championship at the final race is very exciting for spectators."

The rear-wheel drive BMWs suffered less with the weight than their  SEAT rivals, but Theissen is still not in favour of the system used during 2006.

"I think it went too far," he said. "It is a fact that a driver who has 80 kilograms of ballast cannot do anything in the race so he disappears to the back.

"I am not sure if that is what the spectators want to see - the top driver being low down on the grid and with a car which he cannot fight."

Series organisers are reviewing the success penalty system for next year, with grid penalties also being considered.