Priaulx takes crucial race 1 victory

Priaulx stormed away from pole position and, despite a brief challenge from BMW teammate Dirk Muller and Duncan Huisman on the run down to Lisboa, he was unchallenged thereafter.

The only drama for the Briton was on lap two when he was forced to slow to crawling pace behind a limping Stefano D'Aste at the Melco Hairpin - which is permantly placed under yellow flags so overtaking is not allowed.

Thereafter Priaulx pulled clear of Duncan Huisman to cross the finish line 1.020 seconds ahead, with Frenchman Yvan Muller taking third place ahead of Fabrizio Giovanardi. Huisman confirmed that he did not challenge Priaulx because of the championship situation.

"I am very pleased to have got the win from pole position, but obviously we have still got to perform in the second race," said Priaulx. "It was great to have Duncan behind me and he allowed me to build up a little lead."

Priaulx's result means that there are now only three men able to win the title - with nine contenders having gone into the event with a chance of the championship.

He leads the championship by five points from Alfa Romeo's Augusto Farfus Jr., who finished fifth. BMW's Jorg Muller is the only other man in contention, having finished sixth. He is two points further adrift.

The race was a disaster for front row man Dirk Muller, who was spun around at Lisboa on the opening lap and dropped well down the order.

He eventually finished 14th, a result that put him out of contention for the title.

The manufacturers' championship has now been settled in favour of BMW.

Result

Pos  Driver              Make                     Time
 1.  Andy Priaulx        BMW 320si           23:44.490
 2.  Duncan Huisman      BMW 320si             + 1.020
 3.  Yvan Muller         SEAT Leon             + 1.385
 4.  Fabrizio Giovanardi Honda Accord          + 2.661
 5.  Augusto Farfus      Alfa Romeo 156        + 9.596
 6.  Jorg Muller         BMW 320si            + 10.495
 7.  Tom Coronel         SEAT Leon            + 11.089
 8.  Peter Terting       SEAT Leon            + 19.777
 9.  Robert Huff         Chevrolet Lacetti    + 26.631
10.  James Thompson      SEAT Leon            + 30.059
11.  Gabriele Tarquini   SEAT Leon            + 32.834
12.  Jordi Gene          SEAT Leon            + 33.761
13.  Andre Couto         SEAT Leon            + 34.358
14.  Dirk Muller         BMW 320si            + 35.515
15.  Salvatore Tavano    Alfa Romeo 156     + 1:03.559
16.  Rickard Rydell      SEAT Leon          + 1:12.213
17.  Maurizio Ceresoli   SEAT Leon          + 2:00.092
18.  Diego Romanini      BMW 320i           + 2:10.168
19.  Ao Chi Hong         BMW 320i              + 1 LAP
20.  Luca Rangoni        BMW 320si             + 1 LAP
21.  Alain Menu          Chevrolet Lacetti    + 2 LAPS
22.  Nicola Larini       Chevrolet Lacetti    + 3 LAPS
23.  Alessandro Zanardi  BMW 320si            + 3 LAPS

Not Classified

     Jan Magnussen       BMW 320si              D.N.F.
     Stefano D'Aste      BMW 320i               D.N.F.
     Gianni Morbidelli   Alfa Romeo 156         D.N.F.

Fastest Lap:  Menu  2:34.249