WTCC - ROUNDS 13 AND 14 - OSCHERSLEBEN - PREVIEW

Home event in Oschersleben: BMW aims to extend championship lead.

Munich, 22nd August 2005. The FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) is
stopping off in Germany for races 13 and 14 of the season. The battle for the
World Championship title enters its next round in the Motorsport Arena
Oschersleben. The situation ahead of the two races on this 3.667-kilometre
circuit could hardly be more exciting.

Dirk Müller (GER) of BMW Team Deutschland travels to Oschersleben as leader of
the championship rankings. However, his lead over his closest rival, Alfa Romeo
driver Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), amounts to just four points. Next in line is
the reigning European Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx (GBR), driving for BMW
Team UK and waiting for his chance to close the gap to his rivals. BMW leads
the Manufacturers' Championship with 159 points, putting it just ahead of Alfa
Romeo (155) prior to the Oschersleben races.

Local hero Dirk Müller can't wait to hit the track before the crowds of German
motor racing fans. "I'm really looking forward to competing in Germany in the
WTCC," says the 29-year-old. "Races in your home country are always something
very special. You meet a lot of friends and acquaintances, and that gives you
an added incentive." Along with Priaulx and Giovanardi, Dirk Müller will be
lining up with the maximum weight handicap of 60 kilograms. Antonio Garcia
(ESP) of BMW Team Italy-Spain will also have an extra 40 kilos on board his BMW
320i. BMW Team Deutschland driver Jörg Müller (GER) and Garcia's team-mate
Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) will enjoy the advantage of racing without additional
weights.

After the racing circuit in Puebla, the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben is the
shortest track on the WTCC calendar. Its mix of sweeping turns and long
straights poses a challenge to the drivers. On the high-speed sections a
powerful engine is of the essence. Statistics show that the circuit suits the
rear-wheel-drive BMW 320i. Six races of the European Touring Car Championship
were held at Oschersleben between 2002 and 2004, and on five occasions a BMW
driver took the top podium place.

Two of these successes were claimed by the current World Championship leader
Dirk Müller, who won both FIA ETCC races three years ago. "Essentially I'm very
fond of the circuit," he says. "However, the 60 kilos extra weight won't make
things easy for me. But my immediate rivals are in the same position.
Oschersleben only has a few passing opportunities, which is why a good grid
position is important. I hope to benefit from the reverse starting order in the
second race."

For the first time, the German ZDF channel will also be broadcasting the two
FIA WTCC races live alongside Eurosport. ZDF will be reporting on the WTCC in a
ZDF SPORTextra from 15.05 hrs CET. The first race starts on Sunday at 15.15 hrs
CET.

World Championship standings after 12 out of 20 races:

Drivers' standings:
1st Dirk Müller 61 points, 2nd Fabrizio Giovanardi 57, 3rd Andy Priaulx 50, 4th
Gabriele Tarquini 43, 5th Antonio Garcia 43, 6th James Thompson 38, 7th Augusto
Farfus jr. 34, 8th Jörg Müller 33, 9th Rickard Rydell 33, 10th Peter Terting
17, ?15th Alessandro Zanardi 6

Manufacturers' standings:
1st BMW 159 points, 2nd Alfa Romeo 155, 3rd SEAT 113, 4th Chevrolet 39, 5th
Ford 2

Weight handicaps: Andy Priaulx 60 kilograms (maximum), Dirk Müller 60, Antonio
Garcia 40, Jörg Müller -, Alessandro Zanardi -

Schedule:

Saturday, 27th August 2005
09.00 - 09.30 hrs 1st Free Practice
12.30 - 13.00 hrs 2nd Free Practice
15.00 - 15.30 hrs Qualifying

Sunday, 28th August 2005
09.20 - 09.35 hrs Warm-up
15.15 - 15.40 hrs 1st Race - 14 laps (51.34 km)
16.20 - 16.45 hrs 2nd Race - 14 laps (51.34 km)

The Eurosport television channel transmits live broadcasts of the FIA WTCC
races and each warm-up.

Race calendar FIA WTCC 2005

Date Race
10th April: Monza, Italy
1st May: Magny-Cours, France
15th May: Silverstone, Great Britain
29th May: Imola, Italy
26th June: Puebla, Mexico
30th July: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
28th August: Oschersleben, Germany
18th September: Istanbul, Turkey
2nd October: Valencia, Spain
20th November: Macau, China