Picture FIA WTCC

MONZA proved a more rewarding Italian experience for Andy Priaulx than Imola two weekends ago. A third place in race one keeps his hopes of a fourth title alive in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

The BMW Team UK driver crossed the line in fourth but a post-race 30-second penalty was given to Rickard Rydell for cutting the chicane while challenging Nicola Larini.

However, the Guerseyman’s fortunes did not hold in race two when, having made up one position to fifth, he ran over some debris on the track on lap seven and suffered a puncture.

‘We optimised everything we could with the team,’ Priaulx said. ‘It’s great to work together with fellow BMW drivers but we had to overcome a huge deficit to the diesel engine. The car was fantastic. Obviously I’m disappointed with the puncture. Six cars ran over the same piece of debris in front of me and were fine but that’s just the way this season has gone.’