Proud Priaulx denies F1 regrets

By Matt Slater

Priaulx capped another fine WTCC season with a win in Macau

Britain's double World Touring Car (WTCC) champ Andy Priaulx says he has scratched his "Formula One itch" and is content to be the best at what he does.

Priaulx, who has won three straight touring car series titles, tested with the BMW Williams F1 team in late 2005 but returned to WTCC this season.

"I have beaten lots of guys who are racing in F1," the 31-year-old said.

"I would rather be seen as one of the best drivers in the world at what I do than a Formula One test driver."

The Guernsey-born driver admitted he enjoyed the technical side of single-seat racing's elite series but with his chances of getting a competitive drive in F1 diminishing he was far happier competing for world titles in touring cars.

"Who wants to drive around a rainy circuit three days a week with nobody even watching?" said Priaulx, whose CV includes wins in series as diverse as motocross, hill climbing and Formula Three.

"At least I'm racing week in, week out - fighting for championships.

"The buzz of driving a Formula One car is great but I love racing. I'm a racer. That means more than pounding around Silverstone in the winter.

"I have been through the whole process, and at least I was in the boxing ring with blood on my face having a go.

I'm a multiple world champion and there are only three (FIA) world champions in motorsport

"The fact that I am racing at all gives me great satisfaction as I have never had much money behind me and it is still a rich man's game.

"I have been with guys who have been rated as some of the best around but are now doing nothing.

"So I'm delighted to be one of the few that is working professionally and fighting for world titles."

Priaulx, who has been described by his BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen as the "Michael Schumacher of touring cars", won his second WTCC crown in thrilling fashion in Macau last week.

The WTCC is one of only three "world championships" awarded by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), motorsport's governing body, the other two being Formula One and the World Rally Championship.

The series features compact mid-size cars, with two-litre engines, that are derived from road models - although, as Priaulx points out, there "is a highly-tuned race horse" under the bonnet of his BMW 320si.

606 DEBATE: Would Priaulx have been a success in Formula One?

Going into the final two-race round of the 10-round season, the Channel Islander trailed Augusto Farfus by one point, with seven other drivers also in contention.

But a superb victory in the first race at the Chinese track and a dramatic fifth-place finish in the second race were enough to see him pip BMW team-mate Jorg Muller to the title by just one point. Farfus had to settle for third.

Priaulx, who earlier in his career had to sell his house to fund his racing and lived in a caravan near Silverstone for a season, is now focused on continuing his "motorsport education" and building his profile, particularly in this country.

Priaulx is more than happy to fly the flag from the front

"I think it took (World Superbikes star) Carl Fogarty four world titles to be recognised," he said.

"I've got the European (the forerunner to the WTCC) and two world titles so I'm hoping one more and then I'll get that recognition here."

Priaulx recognises that the lack of television exposure for touring cars in this country is the main reason he remains British motorsport's best-kept secret.

"I can't do much more. It's not my job to do TV deals or market the series," he said with a hint of frustration.

"Eurosport gets great figures across the continent but in this country the only people who watch it are probably in the gym.

"That said, people are starting to notice here that I'm a multiple world champion and that there are only three world champions (sanctioned by the FIA) in motorsport.

"I race against top touring car champions and former F1 drivers. The pedigree and level of competition is very high.

"My next goal is to win some of the biggest races out there, like Le Mans. I would love to win that.

"It's not going to happen next year but in the future for sure. My best races are yet to come."