Münnich Motorsport’s Gianni Morbidelli heads to the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) season finale in Macau this weekend looking to end the year on a high, especially as his plans for 2015 are far from certain.
Morbidelli’s season has seen him take his first-ever victory in the WTCC, whilst also proving to be one of the top Chevrolet drivers. Currently ninth in the championship and the third best Cruze driver, the Italian would have to have a near perfect weekend to stand any chance of overcoming the 40-point deficit to Tom Coronel for the honour of becoming the top Chevrolet driver.
Nevertheless, 46-year-old Morbidelli is keen to finish the season on a high, especially given the uncertainty for his 2015 programme.
“I look forward to Macau as an opportunity to try to finish the year on a high note,” said Morbidelli. “It often happens that the last race is a springboard to the next season, but for the time being my situation is fluid. Of course I’ve never hidden the fact that I would like to continue my WTCC spell alongside Rene Münnich’s team, as we get along really well with all the staff.”
Morbidelli’s quick to point out, however, that he does not count the challenging Circuito da Guia as one of his favourite circuits – and he has not raced in the Portuguese colony since the WTCC finale in 2006.
“In principle I like street races and over the years I had some good memories of weekends spent grazing walls and armcos,” explained Morbidelli. “However, I must acknowledge Macau is not among my favourite venues.
“It’s a track I know pretty well as I tried my hand at it way back in the F3 Grand Prix, and then a few years ago I took part in the Guia Race as an Alfa Romeo works driver [with N.Technology]. This layout is a bit weird: you’ve got those very high speeds, but then again overtaking is as much an ordeal as it is at venues whose average speeds is much lower- at Monaco, for instance.
“For sure, it will be again a race track that makes you pay dear for even the slightest mistake; a kind of roulette wheel, if you wish. And since Macau is the gaming capital of the world, who knows, perhaps the ball might settle in the black 10 slot, my race car number … It would be the best way to finish the season and I hope things will come our way, especially because attending Sunday races there will be my great supporter Marco Camozzi, and it would be great to close a year to remember for his company –which has supported me over the years — with a good reason to celebrate.”