Championship leader Tarquini on pole

Gabriele Tarquini has driven to pole position in his Seat Léon TDI. After a thrilling qualifying the Italian, who leads the championship, beat Andy Priaulx by 0.50s. Tarquini’s biggest rival in the standings, Yvan Muller, only managed to qualify in seventh place.

Jörg Müller, who had already been fast during the practise sessions this morning, was in third place, just 0.060s behind Gabriele Tarquini. Augusto Farfus, who was quickest during both the practise sessions, only managed fifth place in qualifying, 0.160s of the pole.

There were two Chevrolets in the top ten, but only just. Robert Huff qualified in 9th, one place ahead of his team mate Alain Menu.

Best privateer in qualifying was Tom Coronel. He qualified in 12th place, with rival Porteiro three places down in 15th.