Gabriele Tarquini arrived at his home race in Italy as the new championship leader, with a one-point lead over BMW Team Germany's Augusto Farfus.

Making his World Championship debut for Proteam was Fabio Fabiani, the reigning European Touring Car Cup champion in the Super Production class.

[1] Returning to the series after limited races in 2005 was Andrea Larini, younger brother of Chevrolet driver Nicola, in the SUNRED-run SEAT León Eurocup prize car.

[3] Championship leader Tarquini was fastest in the first practice session, ahead of BMW Team Italy-Spain's Alessandro Zanardi and Yvan Muller.

Independent's Trophy leader Tom Coronel was fourth fastest ahead of Farfus and Sergio Hernández.

[4] Jordi Gené was fastest in the second session for SEAT, ahead of teammate Rickard Rydell and BMW Team UK's Andy Priaulx.

The third Chevrolet driver Alain Menu did not take part in Q2 after his car returned to the pits at the end of Q1 spewing out oil.

Huff lost control and made contact with Rickard Rydell, who then hit his SEAT teammate Gené and then Augusto Farfus.

Tom Coronel and James Thompson were able to make up a host of places after avoiding the carnage by running through the gravel at the chicane, and finished in fifth and sixth.

[8] Yvan Muller ended a run of poor results in race two by winning ahead of SEAT Sport teammate Tarquini.