SEAT boss proud of team's season

Yvan Muller slowed while leading with less than two laps remaining in race one, and he was unable to reach the finish. If he had won the race, he would have gone into race two needing just one point to guarantee the title.

SEAT were also fighting with BMW for the manufacturers' championship, which went to the German outfit by just six points.

"We came to Macau fighting for two championships and we should be very proud of that," said Puig. "Towards the end of the season especially we have been very competitive.

"We came close to winning both the manufacturers' and drivers' titles, but in life if you don't know what it feels like to lose, you don't know what it feels like to win."

SEAT's season came alive once they introduced the diesel engine at Anderstorp. Muller was 15 points behind Priaulx heading into the Swedish event, but the pair went to Macau tied on points.

"Of course we are extremely disappointed, but in moments like this you have to be strong, and with the Leon TDI we are fighting for every race victory," Puig added.

"We have a fantastic team, an excellent car, the best drivers and we have to make sure we do better next time."

Muller added that SEAT's performance towards the end of the season made defeat harder to accept.

"The team has done a fantastic job with the Leon TDI," he said. "If you lose a championship because you are not fast enough then that is ok, but we were quick enough."