Mattias Ekström sets the pace at Norisring

Mattias Ekström started the first Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters practice session at Norisring strongly. The Swede’s fastest lap was 49.058 and he headed three Audi’s. Team mate and championship leader Timo Scheider was second, only six thousands of a second behind, with recent Le Mans-winner Tom Kristensen in third.

Bernd Schneider was best Mercedes-driver in fourth, only seven thousands of a second behind Kristensen. Christijan Albers made it four Audi’s in top five and his best time was 0.169 seconds slower than Ekström.

Last year’s Norisring winner Bruno Spengler was sixth fastest ahead of his manufacturer colleagues Gary Paffett and Ralf Schumacher.

A second test will follow later today.