Slovakia Ring, FP1: Michelisz chases Lopez

It was a close Practice 1 session this morning at the Slovakia Ring, in perfect track conditions.

José María López confirmed his excellent form on a circuit he discovered yesterday by topping the time sheet throughout the entire session, setting the fastest time of 2.06.926.

Opposition though proved to be closing the gap on the Citroën cars. Norbert Michelisz (Honda) was second-fastest, only two tenths behind the leader (2.06.090). Yvan Muller and Sébastien Loeb followed, conceding 5 and 7 tenths respectively to López.

Gabriele Tarquini (Honda) completed the top five, while also Tom Chilton, the fastest among the Chevrolet RML cars, finished within one second from the top.

Petr Fulín (SEAT) set the best time among the TC2T cars, preceding Engstler (BMW), Filippi (SEAT) and Di Sabatino (BMW).

The session went smoothly, without incidents. The only facts worth of note happened in the closing minutes, when Hugo Valente (Chevrolet RML) went into the gravel at turn 10 on a fast lap attempt, while Rob Huff (LADA) stopped on the side of the track with a broken alternator belt. This prompted the session to be red-flagged one minute before its scheduled end.

The second practice will start at 11:50.