Spengler tops first Barcelona test
In the first test of the DTM at the Circuit de Catalunya, Bruno Spengler set the relevant signal that the final word has not been said in the battle for the title. At the 2.977 kilometres long Grand Prix circuit near Barcelona, the Franco-Canadian completed 36 laps with his AMG Mercedes C-Class, the fastest one in 1.08.023 minutes.
At the end of the 90 minutes’ session, second-placed Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) was 0.127 seconds short of the fastest time. Points leader Mattias Ekström took his Audi A4 DTM to the third fastest time on Friday morning with 1.08.183 minutes.
Competition was close in overcast, but dry conditions at the Circuit de Catalunya. The first 19 drivers, from Spengler down to Christian Abt, all lapped within 0.890 seconds, The top trio was followed by Alexandre Prémat, Tom Kristensen and Gary Paffett. Eventually, the Briton was only 0.198 seconds down. Jamie Green drove the most laps, covering a total distance of 119.08 kilometres with his AMG Mercedes C-Class and ending up twelfth after the first test.
While the two title candidates Ekström and Spengler ranked among the top drivers in third and first place respectively, points runner-up Martin Tomzyk was only 14th after 36 laps with his Audi A4 DTM. The driver from Rosenheim scored his maiden DTM victory at the Circuit de Catalunya one year ago.
The second test will start at 14.50 h and will also be running over 90 minutes, ending at 16.20 h. It is still uncertain how the weather will develop as September is one of the most rainy months of the year in Spain and the weather forecast included the possibility of wet conditions in the afternoon.
