Lucas Auer sets the pace in final practice at the Nürburgring

Lucas Auer led a top three lock out for Mercedes AMG in the final practice at the Nürburgring, leading team-mates Gary Paffett and Robert Wickens, while Audi Sport struggled with the changing track conditions.

The entire field took to the track on old slicks, despite some wet patches on the track due to overnight rain. Some drivers had problems with the wet spots on the tarmac, including Mercedes’ Paul di Resta and the two Audis of Jamie Green and Loïc Duval, who spun at Turn 1.

Auer set a best lap time in the session of 1:21.258, with Paffett a tenth behind and Wickens in third, as the Mercedes drivers took advantage of an improving track in the final minutes of the session.

Marco Wittmann was fourth, two-tenths off the pace, followed by fellow BMW drivers Tom Blomqvist and Timo Glock. René Rast was the fastest driver for Audi Sport in seventh place, three-tenths from Auer’s time.

BMW’s Bruno Spengler was eighth, with Mercedes’ Edoardo Mortara next. Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller completed the top ten, three and a half tenths off the pace.

Drivers started mounting new slicks with ten minutes to go in order to prepare for this afternoon’s qualifying session, with the tyre strategy having an impact in the session’s result. Audi Sport, with a heavy weight penalty, struggled in the drying conditions, with championship leader Mattias Ekström only managing 13th place, over half a second off the pace.

Qualifying for Race 2 is scheduled for 12:00 CET.