Porto, FP1: Menu shatters track record
Direct consequence of the impressive improvements made to the track
Chevrolet set the pace again in this morning’s practice session. Under an overcast sky, with cool wind blowing from the sea, the track record (2:09.026) set by Rob Huff in yesterday’s test was literally shattered.
For most of the session Huff himself led off the dance. He first completed four consecutive laps, improving from 2:08.454 to 2:07.447, and then improved further to 2:07.085 with five minutes left on the clock.
However, his team-mates Yvan Muller and Alain Menu were able to oust him from the top as the Frenchman set a provisional fastest lap of 2:07.080 and finally Menu clocked an impressive 2:06.992 settling the matter for good.
Despite the Chevrolet pace, BMW and SUNRED drivers were not far behind. Tom Coronel was classified fourth (2:07.587) and local hero Tiago Monteiro fifth (2:07.825).
Fredy Barth (2:08.026) topped the Yokohama Trophy in sixth position overall, followed by Stefano D’Aste, Norbert Michelisz, Gabriele Tarquini and Pepe Oriola.
A total of 16 drivers were able to post lap times faster than the previous record, which was the direct consequence of the impressive improvements made to the track.
WTCR
- The race of Marrakech is cancelled, replaced by Salzburg
- Malaysia, Race 3: Kristoffersson takes victory as Michelisz claims title
- Malaysia, Race 2: Guerrieri wins to set-up final-round title decider with Michelisz
- Malaysia, Race 1: Michelisz triumph to extend points lead
- New tracks plus weight rule tweak as WTCR revs up for next three seasons