Anyone's guess in ETCC title decider

Three drivers are in with a shot of the title, the first FIA ETCC crown to be held since 1987: Alfa Romeo's Fabrizio Giovanardi and Nicola Larini, and Honda's Gabriele Tarquini. Giovanardi holds a 16-point lead over his rivals, and both Alfa and Honda have called in some other top touring car stars to boost their cause.

Alfa has Formula 1-bound Felipe Massa and BTCC runner-up Yvan Muller in its 156s this weekend, while Honda has James Thompson, who was third in the BTCC this year.

This morning's (Saturday) free practice session at Estoril created an interesting result, with Tarquini topping the times by half a second from Giovanardi and Larini. Of the ringers, Thompson was sixth, Muller only 10th after a collision with the Audi of Swede Tobias Johansson, while Massa didn't complete a lap after pulling off at the chicane on his out lap.

Other who could play a part this weekend are Matt Neal (Nissan), who is likely to do Giovanardi no favours after numerous collisions this season, and Roberto Colciago, whose Audi Quattro should figure if the threatened rain storms materialise. Neal was fourth fastest today, while Colciago was second quickest in the earlier wet session, which was topped by Larini.

Qualifying begins at 15.15 BST, and Autosport.com will keep you up to date with all the news from Estoril.