Photo: WTCC

Monteiro heads Honda 1-2 in Suzuka first practice

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Tiago Monteiro set the fastest time in first practice session at Suzuka, ahead of Honda stable-mate and local driver, Takuya Izawa.

The Portuguese set the fastest time the session’ opening stages, but once again improved to his fastest time of 53.876s with minutes to go.

2013’s WTCC Champion-in-waiting, Yvan Muller, was third in his RML Chevrolet. He, like Monteiro, improved with a late flyer, despite having an off earlier on.

Other notable incidents included Rob Huff and Norbert Michelisz.

Michelisz eventually finished fifth in the Zengo Honda behind the BMW of Tom Coronel, but in front of Pepe Oriola, who rounded out the top six.

Despite Friday’s red flag strewn session, Masaki Kano, who this weekend replaces the unwell Franz Engstler this weekend, was one of the other spinners in the session.

Marc Basseng was the only other driver to have an off, after running into the the gravel at Turn 2.