Sunday was not a happy home-coming for British World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, who lost his lead in the world series at Brands Hatch.

The BMW driver went into the weekend three points clear of closest rival, Yvan Muller, but left in fourth place, nine points behind the Frenchman. The turning point came when Priaulx skidded off in torrential rain whilst leading Sunday’s second race.

“I just locked-up and ran wide,” said Priaulx, from Guernsey. “When I got back on the track I couldn’t see anything so couldn’t make any progress. “Up until that point I thought I had the race in the bag. I’m blaming myself, it’s my mistake. It’s not the sort of mistake I usually make. I’m just annoyed with myself.”  

It was not all bad news for British WTCC hopes. Harrogate’s James Thompson leapt from seventh to second in the overall standings after two outstanding podiums. “I’ll definitely take two third places in these conditions,” said the double British Touring Car Champion.

“It was pretty tough trying to keep the car on the circuit but overall it’s been a pretty good weekend.” Scotland’s Ryan Sharp took his first win in the WTCC Yokohama Independents’ Trophy – a real achievement for the 27-year-old, who is in his first year of touring car racing.

“I wanted to stand on the podium if at all possible this weekend,” said Sharp, who drives for JAS Motorsport. “But more important than that is to keep learning. I need to establish myself as a touring car driver so that manufacturers would look at me for next year. “Hopefully by mid-season we’ll be regularly in the mid-table, and by the end of the year who knows?”

The WTCC’s next round is at Oschersleben, Germany, on June 3/4.

FIA WTCC Drivers Championship 1.   Yvan Muller (FRA) SEAT Leon 32 points 2.   James Thompson (GBR) SEAT Leon   25 points 3.   Gabriele Tarquini (ITA) SEAT Leon     24 points 4.   Andy Priaulx (GBR) BMW 320si 23 points 5.   Rickard Rydell (SWE) SEAT Leon 21 points 6.   Alain Menu (SWE) Chevrolet   18 points 7.   Dirk Müller (GER) BMW 320si   18 points 8.   Jörg Müller (GER) BMW 320si  16 points 9.   Peter Terting (GER) SEAT Leon 15 points 10. Jordi Gené (ESP) SEAT Leon   14 points FIA

WTCC Yokohama Independents’ Trophy

1.   Tom Coronel (NED) JAS Motorsport    40 points 2.   Alessandro Balzan (ITA) DB Motorsport 25 points