Yvan Muller has the edge over team-mate and title rival Gabriele Tarquini heading into the final two races of the World Touring Car season after qualifying third at Macau.

SEAT will secure their second WTCC title of the season on Sunday when either Muller or Tarquini is crowned champion, although it is the Frenchman that is best placed after qualifying on the second row of the grid.

Tarquini, meanwhile, will start eighth after losing control of his Leon TDI, the Italian being punished by Macau's famous walls and bringing out the red flag.

Still, Muller is remaining calm about his title prospects, even though he already has a comfortable 14 point buffer over Tarquini heading into this weekend.

"It is true, I'm in a good position but I want to be prudent until everything is over. Anything is possible in Macau but I'm happy for this result which gives me a better position than Gabriele. But his doesn't change my plans and I want to be focussed on finishing both races in the best possible position.”

Tarquini, meanwhile, was frustrated by his mistake, but while he acknowledges the scale of the task ahead of him, he insists he will fight until it mathematically impossible to win.

"It's a shame. The car was working very well and after I made the first try for a fast lap, I started for the second but was too optimistic while braking. The front wheel blocked and I crashed against the fences.

“It hasn't been a good qualifying although I tried to give the best as always. But mistakes are expensive here. My chances are smaller now but I'll be fighting for the championship until the last minute".”