Mike Rockenfeller pips Robert Wickens in final practice at Hockenheim

Audi Sport’s Mike Rockenfeller was the fastest driver in this morning’s third and final free practice session, also the best among the four championship contenders from the Ingolstadt-based team, beating Mercedes’ Robert Wickens with just a minute to go in the session.

Audi’s René Rast and Mercedes’ Paul di Resta alternated for the top spot during the first part of the session, but Wickens led the classification half way through the session.

The Canadian further improved in the last five minutes but was pipped by Rockenfeller with a minute to go with a best time of 1:31.269, with the Audi of Nico Müller in third place.

Mercedes’ Gary Paffett was next, with Marco Wittmann, fifth, the fastest driver for BMW Motorsport, three-tenths off the pace. Mercedes’ Maro Engel was sixth, followed by the Audis of René Rast and Mattias Ekström, who run the entire session on old tyres.

BMW’s Maxime Martin and Mercedes’ Edoardo Mortara completed the top ten, with the Italian half a second off Rockenfeller’s time. Audi’s Jamie Green was 11th, the last of the four contenders to the drivers’ title.

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