Yvan Muller and Gabrieli Tarquini have taken victories for Seat's diesel-burning Leons in the opening round of the 2008 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in Brazil.

In hot and sticky conditions at the Curitiba track, Muller and team-mate Rydell held off the BMW Team Germany cars of Farfus and Jörg Müller to take a close 1-2 in Race 1.

The BMWs couldn't stick with the turbodiesel Seats in a straight-line, despite managing their tyres better and having a clear handling advantage.

Back in the pack, the Chevrolets of Larini and Huff drove into each other, and Menu also had a crunch. All retired.

Reigning WTCC world champ Andy Priaulx took his BMW to fifth (and fastest lap) in Race 1 after overtaking Tarquini and Jordi Gené late in the race.

In Race 2, Tarquini immediately took a lead he would not relinquish. Porteiro's BMW initially held second, but a slicing and decisive move from Priaulx on lap nine saw the Guernseyman take second.

The two Mullers (Jörg and Yvan - no relation) battled over fourth, with Jörg eventually securing the position in his BMW.

2008 WTCC Championship positions after Round 1:
1. Yvan Muller (FRA) 14
2. Gabriele Tarquini (ITA) 14
3. Andy Priaulx (GBR) 13
4. Jörg Müller (GER) 11
5. Rickard Rydell (SWE) 10
6. Félix Porteiro (ESP) 9