Priaulx held off Muller to finish second in race one in Japan

Andy Priaulx dropped further behind World Touring Car Championship leader Yvan Muller at the penultimate weekend of racing in Japan.

Three-time world champion Priaulx was 25 points behind Muller before the races but the gap widened to 37.

BMW driver Priaulx finished second behind Chevrolet's Rob Huff and one place ahead of Muller in the first of the two races.

But he ended race two early in the gravel trap after electrical issues.

I may be a long way behind Yvan, but I shall still go into Macau fighting for the title to the very last lap Andy Priaulx

With Priaulx out team-mate Augusto Farfus took his first win of the season and Muller secured another third place.

Priaulx, from Guernsey, said: "This was not the way I wanted to finish the weekend after such a good qualifying.

"Race one went according to plan and, while I could do nothing to stop Rob coming by, I was able to fend off Yvan.

"I suppose both of us knew how important the result was for the championship, so he was not going to risk too much."

He added: "Then in race two I knew on the grid it would be much tougher with my problems. Anyway it is congratulations to Augusto for the win.

WTCC Race Points 1st place - 25 points 2nd place - 18 points 3rd place - 15 points 4th place - 12 points 5th place - 10 points 6th place - 8 points 7th place - 6 points 8th place - 4 points 9th place - 2 points 10th place - 1 points

"I may be a long way behind Yvan, but I shall still go into Macau fighting for the title to the very last lap."

Priaulx has won the most races this season, taking six of the 20 while Muller has only won three.

Crucially though, Muller has finished ahead of Priaulx in half of the races.

The final two races of the season are due to be held in Macau on 21 November.

With 25 points for a win it is still possible for Priaulx to make up the 37 points and secure a fourth world title.

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