Remembering when… WTCC thrilled Brazil

Brazil, venue of the penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship this weekend, hosted the FIA World Touring Car Championship on seven occasions between 2006 and 2012.

Despite talks to relocate the action to São Paulo at one stage, Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba in the southern city of the same name was an ever-present on the WTCC schedule over a seven-year stretch.

Initially held in July, WTCC Race of Brazil became the traditional season opener from 2007 when Augusto Farfus (pictured) celebrated a popular home victory.

Farfus was one of eight different drivers to win in Brazil, although no driver claimed more victories than Yvan Muller, a four-time winner in Curitiba, including on his debut for Chevrolet in 2010.

Chevrolet managed a total of five wins in Brazil, one fewer than SEAT, the car of choice for inaugural WTCC Race of Brazil Jordi Gené in 2006.

Another notable result was achieved by leading Brazilian Stock Car driver Cacá Bueno, who qualified and finished third in a factory Chevrolet in 2011.