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Monza first practice

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Andy Priaulx, the 2004 FIA ETCC champion, topped the times in the first practice session of the inaugural FIA WTCC event. The Monza circuit was wet. In the early stages, BMW Team Deutschland drivers Jörg and Dirk Müller, Alfa Romeo’s Giovanardi, BMW Team Italy-Spain’s García and BMW Team UK´s Priaulx were constantly changing positions within the top five.

However, as the track dried and the session progressed, Priaulx settled at the top clocking a fastest lap time of 2:14.726 in his BMW 320i. J. Müller was 0.283 seconds slower resulting in 2nd place and Giovanardi set the third fastest time, 0.505 seconds behind Priaulx.

SEAT emulated the success they had at unofficial test sessions earlier in the year as Rydell and Gene set the 7th and 8th fastest times respectively. Terting was not far behind with 12th. Larini set the best time of the three Chevrolets with 2:19.433 which put him in position 14, with team mate Alain Menu just 0.873 seconds behind. Engine problems put an end to Klenke’s practice session during his first lap, whilst the Ford Hotfiel Sport team worked hard to solve another technical problem with Jaeger’s car. They did so successfully and the German driver did manage to hit the track for 4 laps. Czech youngster Adam Lacko was the fastest of the Independent contenders in his Alfa Romeo 156, with a brilliant 13th fastest time.