GB's Priaulx clinches WTCC title

Priaulx keen to land Williams job

British driver Andy Priaulx clinched the 2005 World Touring Car Championship after a pair of second-places in Macau.

The Guernsey-based 31-year-old gained the upper hand over standings leader Dirk Muller in race one when his rival withdrew with technical problems.

Priaulx's seven-point lead going into race two meant Muller had to win the race to be certain of the title.

But when Muller skidded off at the Lisboa turn on lap four, Priaulx's victory was secure.

Fabrizio Giovanardi, the only other title contender, blew his chances when he crashed out of race one.

Brazil's Augusto Farfus Jr, who finished fourth overall, won Sunday's opening race, with Duncan Huisman triumphing in the second.

After his title success, Priaulx paid tribute to a lucky charm.

He said: "I bought a Buddha on Thursday night and the first session I wore it I had a puncture.

"At that point I thought maybe I should take it off but then I realised I had a puncture in Macau without hitting the wall - so I put the Buddha straight back on again!

"It will stay with me for the rest of my career. It could all so easily have ended in tears in the first race but that's destiny. I believed I wanted it most."

The BMW driver admitted it was "great when I was told during the race I was world champion".

He added: "The whole world lifted off my shoulders."