Photo: CUPRA

Mattias Ekström and Tom Blomqvist tops opening Hungaroring practice

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Cupra EKS driver Mattias Ekström and Tom Blomqvist led the opening free practice sessions at the Hungaroring, host of the second 2022 FIA ETCR round.

Ekström led the Pool Fast free practice with a best lap time of 1:55.579, with Romeo Ferraris’ Maxime Martin just 0.061 seconds behind.

Kevin Ceccon was the fastest Hyundai driver in third with the Veloster N ETCR, 1.092 seconds off the pace, followed by Cupra EKS’ Jordi Gené, a further two-tenths behind.

Mikel Azcona took the second Veloster N ETCR to fifth place, with Giovanni Venturini closing the classification for Romeo Ferraris, 2.4 seconds behind Ekström.

The Pool Furious free practice session continued Cupra EKS’ dominance, with Blomqvist topping the time sheets with a lap time of 1:54.820, 0.241 seconds faster than team-mate Adrien Tambay.

Bruno Spengler was third with the Romeo Ferraris Giulia ETCR, a full second behind the Brit, with Hyundai’s Jean-Karl Vernay in fourth place, a further 38-thousandths behind.

Luca Filippi finished in fifth place with the second Giulia ETCR, with local hero Norbert Michelisz finishing sixth and last with the second Hyundai Veloster N ETCR, 3.7 seconds off the pace.

The ETCR returns to the track for the Pool Fast qualifying on Saturday morning at 08:30 CEST.