Zanardi: title too close to call

Zanardi, who famously returned to the top step of the podium this season after winning the second race at Oschersleben, reckons that it will be a close run thing between BMW's Andy Priaulx and Dirk Muller and Alfa Romeo's Fabrizio Giovanardi at the Chinese street circuit.

The three drivers are separated by just five points with 20 available in this weekend's two races.

Zanardi told Autosprint that he wouldn't underestimate any of the three.

"They are all very good, with many victories under their belts, and they already made mistakes in their careers which taught them not be overcome by anxiousness and throw away their chances," said Zanardi.

"Having said that, Priaulx besides being intelligent, he's also the most correct, and knows how to fight fair. He gives the impression of having headed to Macau prepared to his at his best to beat his rivals on the track.

"Giovanardi, from what I've read, even before the engines are started has said it might get down to wheel banging. This isn't a behaviour I agree with, even though in some ways he's right, because in our series wheel banging is an often-too-frequent occurrence.

"He doesn't bang wheel often, but that means that at least he expects it might happen and this shows how much tension there is.

"Muller last year lost the title because in the first race in Dubai he was involved in an accident. Obviously he made a mistake this year at Puebla: in the first race he started behind, immediately found himself in eighth place and spun all by himself. But I think the others too lost points on the track."