Andy Priaulx has vowed to do the best he can in the latest round of the World Touring Car Championship after qualifying sixth at Estoril on a day that otherwise proved difficult for BMW.

Although Augusto Farfus and Jorg Muller had shown well in free practice, qualifying proved to be a different matter as not one of the 320si machines came close to troubling the Chevrolet-SEAT lockout at the front of the grid.

In the end it was Priaulx, who has struggled around the cusp of the top ten this weekend so far, to pop up into sixth with his final effort, a result the reigning champion believes was the best he could manage.

“This was the best my car could do today,” he said. “The car was good, our strategy was good. Despite the rather difficult start to the weekend our team didn't lose its calm and just continued working hard.

"I shall push hard tomorrow to bring this weekend and the first half the season to a successful end.”

Farfus was more frustrated with his efforts though on the way to seventh place on the grid, the Brazilian having never featured outside the top five throughout free practice.

“We didn't expect to be that far away from pole position,” he admits. “But our rivals succeeded in improving considerably over the course of the weekend. Conditions were good out there, and we obviously have a good chance to add some points to our tally. However, I had hoped for more today.”

Elsewhere, Felix Porteiro, Muller and Alex Zanardi will all start down in 12th, 13th and 16th respectively.