As far as stories go, the previous round of the World Touring Car Championship could have been the final scene in a film of determination, bravery and humbleness.
Indeed, there were few dry eyes down at the
BMW Italy-Spain team when Alex Zanardi put behind him years of battling to secure his first victory since he lost his legs in a Champ Car accident back in 2001.
With the aid of hand controls, Zanardi held off the advances of Jörg Müller and Andy Priaulx to complete a famous win that not one driver would begrudge. Beyond the story of the day - and indeed the championship - though, the Oschersleben marked a significant shift in the championship, with Fabrizio Giovanardi falling by the wayside courtesy of his two failures to finish, while Andy Priaulx’s fighting first and second means he has now thrust himself into the title fight as the championship race heads into more pastures new and the newly homologated Istanbul Otodrom circuit in Turkey. Another example of the WTCC proving its global status, the fast and flowing circuit should provide plenty of action particularly as just one point now separates Dirk Müller and Priaulx at the top of the standings.
Nevertheless, it is Müller who continues to lead the championship as he has done throughout the year, but the gap behind has never been closer. Indeed, despite the Oschersleben being his home round, Müller was not at any point the quickest of the BMWs, with a solid but unspectacular fourth and sixth place to show for. He continues to lead the title race though going into Turkey, aware that the level playing field of an unknown circuit means he will be under pressure to stave off this new threat.
![Alex Zanardi leads at the start at Oschersleben [Pic credit: FIA WTCC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/167257.jpg)
