S'Touring race 1: Yvan's the man

Alfa's team leader, Fabrizio Giovanardi, finished third and took a huge step closer to the title thanks to Muller's win, as it denied Tarquini the extra points he so desperately needs to catch his rival.

Starting from the drier side of a slightly damp grid, it was always going to be easy for Muller to lead into the first corner. Fellow front row man Tarquini was surprised by how much grip he got and was able to tuck in to second, while Giovanardi made an important move by snatching third from team mate Nicola Larini at the opening corner.

Tarquini attacked Muller hard over the opening lap, but had three more of the blood red machines in his mirrors. His personal Honda cavalry, James Thompson and Fabrice Walfisch, was out of touch after suffering opening lap collisions with Roberto Colciago (Audi) and Jens Edman (Volvo) respectively. They would both later pit with "electrical problems" which just happens to give them a front row lock out on this afternoon's reverse grid race. How convenient.

Despite doing all he could to pass Muller, including a cheeky tap at the chicane on the final lap, Tarquini had to settle for second. "I played it as hard as possible," said Tarquini. "I was very close to him all the race and I was faster, but I couldn't pass."

Muller said: "I knew he would try something on the last lap, and I knew where he would hit me, so I was ready for it. It's fair enough, he had to try."

All this means Tarquini has to turn around a 13-point deficit to Giovanardi in race two, but he will start directly behind both Giovanardi, Larini and Massa, with Muller alongside him on the reversed grid. Race two starts at 15.12 BST, so stand by for action.

Yvan Muller, Alfa Romeo 156, 12 laps
Gabriele Tarquini, Honda Accord, +0.513s
Fabrizio Giovanardi, Alfa Romeo 156, +4.594s
Nicola Larini, Alfa Romeo 156, +5.116s
Felipe Massa, Alfa Romeo 156, +6.347s
Roberto Colciago, Audi Quattro A4, +15.606s