Jean-Karl Vernay fastest in first practice in Bahrain
Team WRT’s Jean-Karl Vernay was fastest of all in the first free practice session at the Bahrain International Circuit, where the TCR International Series is supporting the Formula 1 World Championship this weekend.
Vernay ended the session in his Volkswagen Golf just over two-tenths of a second faster than Craft-Bamboo Racing’s James Nash, while the two GE-Force Alfa Romeos of Dusan Borkovic and Davit Kajaia were just over half a second behind.
Pepe Oriola was fifth fastest, with the Craft-Bamboo SEATs showing improved pace compared to the first round of the series two weeks’ ago at Rustavi in Georgia.
Roberto Colciago was the best-placed of the Hondas, putting his M1RA-run Civic TCR sixth on the time sheets, while team-mate Attila Tassi and the rival WestCoast Racing Volkswagen of Gianni Morbidelli were the only other drivers within a second of Vernay’s time.
Ferenc Ficza, the star of Georgia, was ninth fastest in the Zele Racing SEAT, with reigning champion Stefano Comini completing the top ten in the Comtoyou Racing Audi RS 3 LMS.
Michela Cerrruti finished 14th on her return to the series in the third GE-Force Alfa Romeo, though lightly tapped the barriers at Turn 1 with the Giulietta TCR.
“Last year I was really quick here, but the car wasn’t really ready to perform,” said Vernay.
“The weekend is going to be tough, although I like this warm weather. We need to think about a lot of things; tyre degradation, we need to set up the car for the race and also set up the car for qualifying. It’s just like when I arrived in Singapore last year – I didn’t know the track but I was quicker than the other guys.”
The second practice session is scheduled for 15:55 local time (14:55 CET).
