Priaulx not giving up on title

While main title rival Yvan Muller put his SEAT on the front row of the grid, Priaulx had a more troubled time as he could manage no better than 12th.

But with Macau often producing unpredictable races, and Muller facing a tough challenge from Chevrolet and potentially BMW's Augusto Farfus, Priaulx thinks that there is still everything to play for.

"It is not going to be comfortable for Yvan, but it never was for me at the front," he told autosport.com. "I never had an easy championship finale. I know I am 12th, but I am definitely not feeling that it is done and dusted.

"I am feeling that with the reverse grid, anything can happen. If I can improve the car then I can still take the fight to him, but on outright speed it is just not possible."

Priaulx had headed into the weekend admitting that he felt like the 'challenger' rather than the favourite - and his worst fears appear to have been realised with the BMWs no match for the Chevrolets or the turbo-diesel SEATs.

"I have been a little bit on the back foot all weekend actually. I was quick in the first free practice but I normally am," he added.

"In qualifying I would have liked to have been sixth to eighth, but I made quite a big mistake on my fastest lap at the top of San Francisco Hill.

"The rear locked, I put it sideways, and I was lucky not to back the car into the wall as it was quite a big moment."

Priaulx admitted his target was eighth place in race one tomorrow, which would then give him pole position for the second event.

"It has to be," he said. "I have got to try and get up there and see what happens to Yvan. I have got to improve my car, improve my setup and try and find some grip. I am going to fight to the end and see what happens."