Surfers Paradise, Australia – Despite a very strong start and equally strong first stint PT retired from todays race early due to a gearbox failure. After a first lap incident involving Cristiano DaMatta and pole sitter Oriol Servia Paul took the lead of the race and went into the first round of pit stops with the lead still in hand. Unfortunately Sebastian Bourdais was able to go one lap further on fuel and took over the lead from PT. After charging hard in 2nd for a while Paul was black flagged on lap 24 due to liquid being seen leaking from his car.