However there would be no further changes amongst the top seven as Priaulx took the win from Huisman to move into a five point lead over Farfus going into the final race of the season. Yvan Muller completed the podium although his championship challenge is now at an end. Giovanardi took fourth from Farfus who managed to fend of the challenge of both Jorg Muller and Tom Coronel – the Independent champion having climbed onto the back of the top six by the end.
Menu had looked set to claim an unlikely eighth place and pole for race two until he went into the wall late on and damaged his Chevrolet – but neither Thompson or tenth placed Larini could take advantage with the pair having hit trouble a lap earlier. Having touched at Lisboa, Thompson was delayed with a minor spin, while Larini would plough into the wall – ripping the left rear wheel clean off the car. It meant Peter Terting inherited eighth place and pole for the season finale.
Of the other drivers who stood a chance of the title, Thompson crossed the line tenth, just ahead of team-mate Gabriele Tarquini with Dirk Muller 14th after his first lap spin. Rickard Rydell – who had started from the back of the field could only manage 16th.
"I knew I needed to be first into the first corner as Macau is narrow and it is easy to go into the wall," Priaulx said. "It is nice to win the race and now we have to perform again. With Jan [Magnussen] crashing out on lap one, it was good to have Duncan behind me as it allowed me to pull out a little gap. I'm pretty fast round here and finger crossed for race two."
Going into the final race, the title race is now down to three drivers. Jorg Muller and Farfus will start on row two and Priaulx on row four. The Briton leads Farfus by five points, with Jorg two points further back.
