Photo:

Nicki Thiim fastest in Portimao testing

By

Nicki Thiim put the Audi TT on top of the standings for the first time this season, by leading the second half of the test day in Algarve, Portugal.

Besides leading the afternoon session, the Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver also clocked the fastest lap time of the day. Craft-Bamboo Lukoil’s Jordi Gené came home second, just a flash slower than the Audi, with Kelvin van der Linde’s lap time from this morning keeping him in third.

Craft Bamboo Lukoil’s Sergey Afanasyev came fourth ahead of championship leader Stefano Comini, with fellow SEAT driver Pepe Oriola sixth. Gianni Morbidelli confirmed Honda’s struggles, as the WestCoast Racing driver finished in eighth, one second off the pace.

Liqui Moly Team Engstler’s Mikhail Grachev clocked exactly the same lap time as Michel Nykjaer, the Russian making his debut in the series at the wheel of the SEAT León Racer after three events driving the Audi TT. Kevin Gleason closed the top ten for WestCoast Racing.

Action in Algarve will resume at 9.00 local time tomorrow, with the first Free Practice session.