Never before has the FIA WTCC seen such a breathtaking qualifying session. On a track that was driying as the session progressed, the name at the top of the timesheet changed a total of 18 times before Rickard Rydell secured pole for SEAT in the closing stages.

With a time of 1:34.493 he will start ahead of the field tomorrow joined by team-mate Peter Terting on the front row. Chevrolet achieved its best qualifying result so far after Rob Huff posted a spectacular 1:34.675 which placed him 3rd on the grid at his home race.

On the last lap however he took a hard crash at Westfield Bend after going wide. Alain Menu will line up 5th; the two Chevrolet men being separated by Yvan Muller in his SEAT León.

James Thompson looked strong throughout the entire session until, with 6 minutes remaining, he had to pit with a problem. Meanwhile, the field had changed to slicks to capitalise on the drying track.


The times were falling dramatically and leaving Thompson to fall down to 20th. He managed to rejoin the session with moments to spare and salvaged a time of 1:35.102 which was good enough for 6th on the grid.

Andy Priaulx was the fastest of the BMW drivers in 10th place with a time of 1:35.668. Dirk Müller will begin Race 1 behind him after posting the 11th best time. The Alfa Romeo team's best lap was completed by Gianni Morbidelli, it was 12th fastest of the entire field.

Two independent drivers made it into the top ten. Tom Coronel of GR Asia and Pierre-Yves Corthals of JAS Motorsport will line up among the works drivers in 7th and 9th positions respectively.

Jordi Gené had a technical problem which made it unable for him to post a competitive time. The SEAT team are investigating whether the engine was the cause of the Spaniard's difficulties.