Competitors in the TCR International Series began proceedings for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore.
The first free practice session was dominated by the Craft-Bamboo Lukoil SEAT cars, with Pepe Oriola posting fastest time (2.28.706) towards the end of the 25-minute session, after Sergey Afanasyev led most of the session. The Russian finished second, with a time of 2.29.135.
The two SEAT cars were followed by the West Coast Honda cars of Gianni Morbidelli (2.29.153) and Kevin Gleason (2.29.287), although the Japanese cars only took the track at mid-session, similarly to the Campos Racing Opel cars and the FRD Ford.
Michael Grachëv with the Liqui Moly Team Engstler Volkswagen Golf was fifth (2:30.303), followed by the young and fast Loris Hezemans, the Dutchman of Target Competition (2:30.460). Jordi Gené, Stefano Comini, Lorenzo Veglia and René Münnich completed the top ten in this first taste of Singapore’s track… and haze for TCR contenders.
Fernando Monje posted the 13^th fastest lap in his Opel Astra, while Taiwan’s George Chou of Roadstar Racing team emerged as the fastest of the TCR Asia drivers in 14^th.
The second free practice is currently under way.