Norbert Michelisz pips Mikel Azcona for second practice top spot

Hyundai Motorsport N’s Norbert Michelisz made a last lap effort to set the fastest lap time in the second free FIA WTCR practice session at Vallelunga, beating team-mate Mikel Azcona as the chequered flag waved over the track.

Michelisz set a fastest lap time of 1:15.321, 0.067 seconds ahead of his team-mate.

The session took place under very hot conditions that saw several drivers making mistakes and getting into big slides, including Azcona, Michelisz and Zengo Motorsport’s Rob Huff who left a lot of gravel on the track.

Comtoyou Racing’s Nathanäel Berthon was third, one-tenth off the pace, with fellow Audi driver Mehdi Bennani right behind, 0.251 seconds behind Michelisz.

Münnich Motorsport’s Néstor Girolami was fifth, ahead of Cyan Racing’s Thed Björk, the only Lynk & Co 03 TCR driver to make it into the top ten.

Engstler Motorsport’s Attila Tassi confirmed Honda’s good form in seventh place, ahead of Münnich Motorsport’s Esteban Guerrieri, with the Argentinian being 0.334 seconds from P1.

Comtoyou Racing’s Tom Coronel and Engstler Motorsport’s Tiago Monteiro completed the top ten, with the Portuguese driver 0.469 seconds off the pace.

“The feeling is good, but we used new tyres now, as opposed to the others, I think we are in a bit of a better position than the others,” said Michelisz after the session.

Next for the WTCR field will be the qualifying session, scheduled for 15:00 CEST at Vallelunga.