Macau: Muller makes history

Muller, who started the race from pole position after winning leg one, got away well when the lights went out and was unchallenged on the long run down to Lisboa. The same could not be said for Priaulx in second place who came under intense pressure from Rydell on the opening lap.

But just as Muller appeared to be opening out an advantage at the front, the Safety Car had to be called out because Toni Ruokonen had crashed his Honda Civic at Moorish and ripped off a wheel, which left his car stranded in the middle of the circuit.

The Safety Car stayed out until the end of lap four and Muller again got away well - pulling out a huge advantage over Priaulx once the race got underway again. By the end of the lap Muller was 1.3 seconds clear, with Priaulx forced to go into defensive mode as Rydell made a serious bid to wrest the runner-up spot.

On lap six, Rydell managed to get into Priaulx's slipstream on the run down to Lisboa and dived to the inside. His passage was blocked by Priaulx, however, but he still managed to nudge the car ahead of him to let him know he was looking for a way through.

Priaulx instantly responded and upped his pace, pulling more than one second clear of Rydell by the end of that lap as he set about closing on Muller. By the end of lap seven he was just 0.7 seconds off the leader and on the final lap he made a major bid for the lead, brushing the wall at Fishermen's Bend and knocking his left mirror off, but could not find a way through.

"It feels fantastic to win," said Muller. "I love coming to Macau. It has been the perfect weekend for me so I am very happy."

Tom Coronel eventually finished fourth, with Jordi Gene taking fifth place and Simon Harrison grabbing sixth.