Gene arguably earned the mantle for driver of the day by scything through the field to fifth place, just ahead of Huff, the Brit adding another three points to his tally with yet another eventful drive.
BMW had to be content with seventh and eighth, led by Dirk Muller, who will be somewhat bemused by being shuffled down into the lower end of the points while sparring partner Larini celebrates his podium. Team-mate Jorg Muller took the final point, while Zanardi and Huisman were a surprised ninth and tenth and out of the points, the Ravaglia duo having seemed unbeatable all weekend.
However, while the drivers' championship is closer than ever, there was no disputing the newly crowned champion of the Independents Trophy after Tom Coronel's drive to second in class was enough to claim the title with four races still remaining.
Although 12th place finish was perhaps not what he had in mind following his start from pole position, the Dutchman was thrilled to have claimed his first WTCC Independent title for both himself and GR Asia. Stefano D'Aste, who did run as high as sixth, won the class in 11th place overall.
Still, there remains little choose between the drivers in the overall standings, with just 14 points covering Priaulx, clinging onto the title lead despite failing to score this weekend, and Peter Terting in ninth place.
The big winner of the weekend though has been Tarquini, the Italian's 16-point haul proving the largest of the season so far in a single weekend and lifting him from seventh in the championship to second, just one point adrift of Priaulx. Rydell has little reason to complain either after he moved from eighth to third, four points off the leader.
