Mercedes‘ Dani Juncadella will start the first DTM Series race at Brands Hatch since 2013 on pole position.
Team-mate Lucas Auer starts alongside him with Audi‘s René Rast in third.
Mike Rockenfeller got the session underway with his rivals following him out onto the track.
Free Practice 2 pacesetter Augusto Farfus put in the first benchmark time.
On his next lap, Farfus improved on his previous best to stretch his advantage out front.
BMW rookie Philipp Eng displaced the Brazilian but it did not last for long as Farfus surged back to the top spot.
Mercedes’ Auer was next to claim the top spot from Farfus.
Championship leader Gary Paffett ran wide into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend, and made contact with the barrier. The Briton headed straight to the pits as a result.
All three brands were featured in the top three as Nico Müller slotted his Audi into third place behind Auer and Farfus.
There was a lull in the session as the drivers headed to the pits ahead of the shoot out for pole in the closing minutes.
With just under six minutes remaining, the action resumed with Joel Eriksson leading the drivers out of the pits.
Robin Frijns was the final car to leave the pits, with all drivers on track with just over four minutes remaining.
Gary Paffett getting sideways through the gravel (Credit: Craig Robertson).
Eriksson, ran off track and into the gravel but was able to continue.
On his first lap, Farfus improved on his time but was not able to beat the time of Auer.
Juncadella found time in hand and was the one to displace Auer from the top spot.
Having looked like he was going to snatch pole, Farfus found himself pushed down to fifth.
A yellow flag was brought as a result of Timo Glock getting beached in the gravel at Surtees.
Juncadella will start on pole position with Mercedes team-mate Auer alongside.
Reigning champion Rast snatched third place late on.
Eng starts in four just ahead of longtime pacesetter Farfus.
Championship leader Gary Paffett starts sixth despite his skirmish with the barrier.
Glock starts seventh, with Edoardo Mortara in eighth.
Series champions Marco Wittmann and Pascal Wehrlein complete the top ten.
Action from the first race of the weekend gets underway at 13.30 local time.
2018 DTM Series Results: Brands Hatch – Qualifying 1
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