Mike Rockenfeller tops the first practice session at Hockenheim
Audi Sport’s Mike Rockenfeller led an Audi 1-2-3 in this afternoon’s first practice session at Hockenheim, leading his team-mates René Rast and Mattias Ekström, who are also the top two in the drivers’ standings.
The session was largely trouble-free, apart from a moment when Mercedes’ Paul di Resta and Rast almost came together at the Sachs curve as Rast tried to pass the Scotsman.
Rockenfeller led right from the start, with a best lap time of 1:31.760, followed by fellow Audi drivers René Rast and Mattias Ekström, with the Swede almost two-tenths off the pace.
Lucas Auer was fourth followed by HWA Mercedes team-mate Gary Paffett. Paffett’s fellow countryman Jamie Green was sixth, three-tenths off the pace behind the wheel of his Audi RS 5 DTM.
Di Resta was next up, with Audi’s Nico Müller in eighth, over six-tenths off Rockenfeller’s lap-time. Bruno Spengler was the fastest BMW in ninth position, with team-mate Maxime Martin completing the top ten.
BMW’s Timo Glock suffered a technical problem, and was only able to take to the track with 12 minutes remaining. The 35-year-old was 13th in the final classification, nine-tenths off the pace.
The second free practice session is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:55 CET.
