For the third consecutive year Andy Priaulx and BMW emerged as the winners of the ultimate fight for the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Macau.
After two races full of drama in front of fully packed grandstands, Yvan Muller’s and SEAT’s hopes disappeared on the penultimate lap of the first race, when the diesel pump of the Frenchman’s León TDI broke while he was leading.
From that moment on, everything turned in favour of Priaulx, who finished eighth gaining a one-point edge in the classification and the right to start the second race from pole position.
With Muller sidelined for good, only James Thompson was in a position to threaten the Guernseyman’s attempt to retain the title. Thompson tried hard and with a fantastic start jumped Nicola Larini and chased Priaulx closely in the first laps. But as the race went on, Priaulx created a gap and eventually Thompson lost second place to Larini.
Priaulx’s triumph and Muller’s dismay meant that BMW also won the Manufacturers’ Championship with only a 6-point margin ahead of SEAT. A close call which is testament to how competitive the championship season was, with BMW, SEAT, Chevrolet and Alfa Romeo all fighting on an equal level.
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