By Ollie Barstow
Following BMWs convincing whitewash in Germany, the tables were well and truly turned again in Turkey where Alfa Romeo ended a run of lacklustre form to prove the dominant force in the previous round of the World Touring Car Championship.
Significantly the result means that both the Italian team and Fabrizio Giovanardi are back into the driver and manufacturer title hunts.
Nonetheless, the other big news as the series heads back West to Spain and the Valencia circuit is that the championship heralds a new points leader courtesy of Andy Priaulx. The reigning European champions consistent scoring has finally enabled him to displace Dirk Müller from the top of the standings, the German having led the way since the first round at Monza. With two rounds left though, the title is still very open, with just four points separating Priaulx, Müller and Giovanardi.
With a maximum of 42 points still available from four races, nine drivers still have the ability to claim the title although on current form, the first ever World touring car championship trophy is most likely to be claimed by either the Brit, German or Italian, while Alfa Romeo’s Turkey dominance means that they are taking the fight back to
BMW in the constructors championship, ensuring that this is a series that is likely to go down to the wire at the Macau street race.
Although BMW have traditionally worn their weight well throughout the year, the lack of testing at the brand new Istanbul circuit coupled to its power sapping undulations meant the 320is looked most out of their depth in Turkey than they have at any time this year. However, despite their problems, BMW still had some luck on their side, not least Priaulx, who’s fortuitous podium position in the opening race came courtesy of Augusto Farfus and Gabriele Tarquini’s last lap dramas. With Dirk Müller out of the points, Priaulx vaulted his way into the championship lead, although a fifth place for the German in the second race compared to the Brit’s lowly ninth means the gap is still just a single point.
![Andy Priaulx [Pic credit: FIA WTCC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/166470.jpg)
