Muller extends lead with Imola victory

The Frenchman passed pole-sitting teammate Rickard Rydell on the run into the first corner and Rydell was able to protect him from any challengers, leaving Muller to take the win by a margin of just over 0.4s.

James Thompson gave the N.Technology squad their first podium of the season with a hard-fought third place in his Honda Accord, although the Briton was involved in a clash with Chevrolet's Alain Menu that prompted an investigation by the stewards.

Thompson was shuffled back into the pack early in the race but caught the leaders by half-distance. He was fighting Menu for fourth when the pair touched on the way through Tamburello, spinning the Chevrolet into the gravel.

Honda's claim to the podium was secured a couple of laps later when Thompson found a way past Rob Huff at Rivazza to take third.

Augusto Farfus was the first of the BMWs to cross the line in seventh, but reigning champion Andy Priaulx's hopes of retaining his crown were dealt a blow when he lost a number of positions during the jostling on the first lap and was unable to recover any higher than 11th.

But the German marque is in a strong position for the reverse grid race, with Jorg Muller set to start from pole courtesy of his eighth place finish, and teammate Farfus to line up alongside him.

Meanwhile, Sergio Hernandez took an easy win in the Independents' Trophy, finishing ninth outright and well clear of main title rival Stefano D'Aste.

Pos Driver                Team               Gap    
 1. Yvan Muller           SEAT         21:24.523
 2. Rickard Rydell        SEAT            +0.411
 3. James Thompson        Honda           +0.773
 4. Robert Huff           Chevrolet       +1.376
 5. Gabriele Tarquini     SEAT            +2.086
 6. Nicola Larini         Chevrolet       +3.047
 7. Augusto Farfus        BMW             +3.364
 8. Jorg Muller           BMW             +3.906
 9. Sergio Hernandez      BMW             +6.255
10. Felix Porteiro        BMW             +7.545
11. Andy Priaulx          BMW             +8.411
12. Alex Zanardi          BMW            +14.356
13. Tiago Monteiro        SEAT           +14.743
14. Pierre-Yves Corthals  SEAT           +14.820
15. Tom Coronel           SEAT           +15.355
16. Franz Engstler        BMW            +15.804
17. Jordi Gene            SEAT           +22.172
18. Stefano D'Aste        BMW            +22.414
19. Jaap van Lagen        Lada           +22.748
20. Andrey Romanov        BMW            +29.464
21. George Tanev          BMW            +41.517


Retirements

    Alain Menu            Chevrolet       6 laps
    Viktor Shapovalov     Lada            4 laps
    Ibrahim Okyay         BMW             3 laps
    Kirill Ladygin        Lada            3 laps


Fastest lap, Thompson 1:55.388 on lap 3