The first session started under pouring rain on a very wet track, with Néstor Girolami clocking the first significant lap of 2:52.536, which was later improved by his BRC Hyundai teammates Norbert Michelisz (2:51.339) and Mikel Azcona (2:52.336). Girolami moved on top of the timesheet again and for good with three minutes left on the clock with a lap of 2:48.761, while Thed Björk set the second fastest time of 2:48.936 under the chequered flag. Behind them were Santiago Urrutia (2:50.545), Azcona (2:51.336), Michelisz (2:51.339), Rob Huff (2:51.378), Esteban Guerrieri (2:52.526), Martin Xie Xin Zhe (2:52.612) and Martin Cao Hong Wei (2:53.166) who were TCR China’s two fastest drivers, while the best of the TCR Asia contingent was Zhang Zhen Dong, 18th overall.
No serious incidents occurred; a few drivers brushed the tyre walls – Urrutia, Hwang Doyun and Zhang Zhen Dong – and a couple spun – John Filippi and Man Siu Ming, with the latter causing a two-minute full-course-yellow – but they all managed to rejoin.
The second practice session will start at 13:45am local time (06:45 CET).
Picture: WSC/Jun Qian Motorsport
