Priaulx upstages Muller for top honours

Andy Priaulx clinched the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) after a close battle with Germany's Dirk Muller at the Dubai Autodrome yesterday.

Priaulx and Muller were equal on 111 points at the end of the last two races of the season and the former took the European title by virtue of an extra race win.

The Team BMW Great Britain driver, starting from pole, was pushed to the limits by the defending champion Gabriele Tarquini.

In his last races in the nr 1 car, the Alfa Romeo driver was not willing to relinquish his title easily and sent Priaulx to the second spot, splitting compatriot James Thompson of Alfa Romeo and Tarquini in the podium. As if it was a rule, the order remained the same in the second race as well.

"It's just destiny. I never visualised it and never thought it was possible," an elated Priaulx said. "But good things come true. After a lot of hard work, I think as small team like us deserved to win it."

The title hopes of leading contender Dirk Muller of Team BMW Germany went up in smoke when he was rear ended, which cost him the race.

"I was in the sixth place when the accident took place. It was really looking good," said a crest-fallen Muller, who needed five points from the last two races to emerge victorious in the championship.

However, in an amazing show, from the back of the grid, the German worked his way to fifth place in the second run, which he called a 'perfect run.' The thrills and spills of the second race heightened when the race was red-flagged after a multiple crash in the first lap between corners five and six.

"There was nothing major," said Trevor Jackson, a senior British Automobile Racing Club official. "It's a very safe circuit with big run off areas covered in asphalt."

Tarquini, who finished with most number of wins, was magnanimous in defeat and was all praise for the new No 1.

"He is a deserving champion and really did a good job," he said.

Results

Race 1 (10 laps)

Race 2 (10 laps)

Drivers standings (final)