Practice 2: Tarquini sets best lap

The quickest of the bunch for the second free practice session was Gabriele Tarquini. At the wheel of his SEAT León he completed a lap in 2:34.005, ahead of Tom Coronel of GR Asia (2:34.023) and BMW Team Germany’s Augusto Farfus (2:34.206). Rickard Rydell was within the top spots for most of the session and eventually claimed the fourth fastest lap (2:34.235). Alfa Romeo was represented in the top five with André Couto driving a lap of his home town in 2:34.346.

Reigning champion Andy Priaulx was the sixth fastest of the field, followed by fellow Briton Rob Huff. The Chevrolet driver shot from the bottom of the timesheet to 7th in the late stages after achieving a 2:34.559. Huff’s team-mate Alain Menu rounded off the top eight.

The only driver to stray from the track was Franz Engstler who hit the rail at ‘R’ bend but was able to drive to the pits.

Pierre-Yves Corthals’ Exagon Racing team repaired his car after an accident in the first free practice session enabling him to take part and set the quickest lap of the independent competitors. His 2:35.920 placed him 18th overall, one spot ahead of Stefano D’Aste.

The top twelve drivers were within one second as attentions turn to qualifying.

Tarquini commented: “I am satisfied with that. The car has no problems and the diesel engine feels very good on the straight. It means that unlike last year we can gain positions on the straight here.

“The diesel is not so fast in the hairpin and corners but if we have a good qualifying and start on the front two or three rows I think it will be good for SEAT Sport and Yvan (Muller).”