Photo: Tamara Aller

Norbert Michelisz tops opening practice in Vila Real

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BRC Hyundai driver Norbert Michelisz set the fastest lap time in the first free practice session of the FIA TCR World Tour weekend on the streets of Vila Real.

Michelisz set a best lap time of 2:00.777, followed by Geely driver and points leader Santiago Urrutia who was just 0.027 seconds behind.

Reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher was third fastest, three tenths behind.

Michelisz’s team-mate Mikel Azcona was next in fourth, followed by the Geelys of Ma Qing Hua and Thed Björk.

The Swedish driver missed the first half of the session due to work on his car and finished 1.9 seconds from the top.

The Cupras of Aurélien Comte and Viktor Andersson were next, with ALM Motorsport’s Jenson Brickley (Honda) in ninth place, 3.3 seconds off the pace.

Audi driver Jimmy Clairet completed the top ten.

The FIA TCR World Tour field returns to the track at 12:30 local time (13:30 CEST) for the second free practice session.