DTM

Audi Dominate Top 5 In DTM First Practice

1 Mins read

Audi powered to the top of the times in the first free practice session today for the DTM series as it makes is annual British visit to Brands Hatch.

Leading the way on the times after the 90 minute session was Swedish driver Mattias Ekström who set a best time of 42.019 seconds around the Indy configuration of the circuit with a total of 76 laps.

Timo Scheider, Miguel Molina, Alexandre Prémat and Markus Winkelhock places second to fifth place respectively with the first of the Mercedes drivers being that of British driver Gary Paffet just 0.198 seconds down from the lead Audi.

Fellow Brits Paul di Resta and Oliver Jarvis followed with Bruno Spengler and Mike Rockenfeller rounding out the top 10.

The sparks fly from Oli Jarvis's Audi at the bottom of Paddock Hill bend

David Coulthard completed a total of 52 laps but could only manage a time good enough for sixteenth place on his first racing visit to Brands Hatch in 20 years.

The practice session has shown some interesting results for tyre manufacturers Dunlop after the new asphalt changed the grip levels of the Kent circuit.

“The round in Great Britain promises a lot of excitement”, says Dunlop's motorsport manager Michael Bellmann. “Brands Hatch was resurfaced. The drivers first have to determine the grip level of the circuit. After Dunlop's experts have analysed the surface of the track, it is clear: the new asphalt isn't as raw as last year, but provides similar grip levels, so that all the required settings change as a result” added Bellmann.

Click here to view the full times.

Avatar photo
3032 posts

About author
Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Checkered Flag who grew up visiting race circuits around the UK also a freelance motorsport PR officer. Outside of motorsport a lover of music, photography, NBA and NFL.
Articles
Related posts
DTMFormula E

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Champion and Reigning DTM Champion to test for Jaguar

3 Mins read
Jaguar have announced that Simon Evans and reigning DTM Champion Sheldon van der Linde will complete Monday’s Rookie Test for the team.
DTMFormula EFormula Regional European Championship

ABT CUPRA to run Reigning ETCR Champion and ADAC Youngster in Rookie Test

2 Mins read
Reigning ETCR Champion Adrien Tambay and FREC driver Tim Tramnitz will drive for ABT CUPRA next Monday in the Formula E Rookie Test
DTMFormula E

Kelvin van der Linde to replace Robin Frijns for foreseeable future

3 Mins read
ABT DTM driver Kelvin van der Linde has been confirmed as Robin Frijns’ replacement at next weekend’s Diriyah E-Prix, with the Dutchman ruled out for potentially the bulk of the season.