Asian Motor Sports

Andy Priaulx clinched the World Touring Car Championship despite seeing title rival Jorg Muller dominate the second race at Macau.

Muller stormed into the lead at the start and, after a safety car period, was gifted the victory when his rivals were slowed at the restart by then second placed Peter Terting, whose car had problems and eventually ground to a halt.

That incident allowed Muller to open up a six second lead, which he held until the end of the race. SEAT’s Yvan Muller finished second, having overcome a race-long challenge from Tom Coronel.

But all eyes were on Priaulx, who ran fifth for much of the race and could do nothing to move up the order ahead of eventual fourth placed finisher James Thompson.

But that result was enough for Priaulx to take the title by one point from Muller. It is his second WTCC crown, and his third championship in a row after capturing the European Touring Car Championship in 2004.

There was drama on the opening lap when Augusto Farfus Jr., one of the three title contenders, swiped the wall after getting sideways at Mandarin Bend as he tried to challenge Muller for the lead.

The impact badly damaged the left rear of his car and he was forced to retire after getting as far as Lisboa - ending his title bid.

Priaulx admitted that the pressure he faced in the finale at Macau was ‘unbearable’.

Priaulx captured his second WTCC title with a win and a fifth place in Macau, taking the crown by just one point from race two winner Jorg Muller.

Speaking afterwards, Priaulx said he was completely drained by having to fight hard for his fifth placed finish - having been sandwiched between SEAT’s James Thompson and the Honda of Fabrizio Giovanardi.

“It is almost too much to take in,” said Priaulx. “The pressure was unbearable. I could not have gone another lap.

“It means a lot more to me now having won the first race. I came fifth in the second with no help from anyone at all.

“I have got nothing left to give. I am knackered. It has been a great team effort, the team have given me a fantastic car at each race and we have managed to achieve the ultimate result.”

Priaulx believed the key for his title success was set by his four victories earlier this season, and the fact that bad results in Istanbul and Valencia had meant that ballast came off his car.

“I think I set the foundation for it at the beginning of the year with four wins,” said Priaulx. “I had the speed all year, but at times I had 80kg and that was too much to bear.” (Source)

Results
Pos Driver Make Time
1. Jorg Muller BMW 320si 36:01.074
2. Yvan Muller SEAT Leon + 2.102
3. Tom Coronel SEAT Leon + 2.697
4. James Thompson SEAT Leon + 4.473
5. Andy Priaulx BMW 320si + 5.273
6. Fabrizio Giovanardi Honda Accord + 6.124
7. Andre Couto SEAT Leon + 10.344
8. Dirk Muller BMW 320si + 11.408
9. Alessandro Zanardi BMW 320si + 11.834
10. Alain Menu Chevrolet Lacetti + 19.376
11. Stefano D’Aste BMW 320i + 21.970
12. Luca Rangoni BMW 320si + 26.576
13. Duncan Huisman BMW 320si + 30.480
14. Rickard Rydell SEAT Leon + 2 LAPS
15. Diego Romanini BMW 320i + 2 LAPS

Not Classified
Ao Chi Hong BMW 320i D.N.F.
Peter Terting SEAT Leon D.N.F.
Salvatore Tavano Alfa Romeo 156 D.N.F.
Jan Magnussen BMW 320si D.N.F.
Robert Huff Chevrolet Lacetti D.N.F.
Gabriele Tarquini SEAT Leon D.N.F.
Jordi Gene SEAT Leon D.N.F.
Augusto Farfus Alfa Romeo 156 D.N.F.
Maurizio Ceresoli SEAT Leon D.N.F.
Fastest Lap: Y Muller 2:34.394