Andy Priaulx overcame a late charge from team mate Dirk Muller to claim his third World Touring Car Championship win of the season at the Oschersleben.
Having qualified on pole position, Priaulx used his
BMW's rear-wheel drive to spear off the line into a lead he would never lose through the 14 laps, although he had to contend with Muller's attentions in the final few laps after the German fought his way through the field.
Indeed, Muller again proved his car's superiority off the line compared to the SEATs in front of him by jumping from sixth to third at the first corner, even if a rather robust move by Rickard Rydell coming out of turn two relegated him back to fourth.
Nonetheless, as the SEATs began to lose their race pace, BMW came into their element, with Priaulx stretching from James Thompson all the way to the chequered flag, while Muller was able to slip past Rydell to move into third.
Third became second when Thompson began to slip down the order with a suspected brake problem, the Brit eventually losing places to team mates Rydell and Gabriele Tarquini to cross the line in fifth place.
However, that fifth place was not without a physical tussle with Augusto Farfus Jr. who was having his best race since Monza. Indeed, the Brazilian was attempting to go down the outside of Thompson at the Shell Esses when they hit doors, causing the Alfa Romeo to bounce over the grass and gravel but miraculously slot back in between Thompson and the close following Jorg Muller.
Indeed, the battle for the places in the lower end of the points was frantic, particularly in the closing laps as several drivers disputed the crucial eighth place that would give them pole position in the second race.
Initially, the position was held by championship leader Yvan Muller who was slipping back after a good start, falling into the clutches of 2005 winner Alex Zanardi, who was making a good comeback from 13th on the grid.
