Maxime Martin and Adrien Tambay dominate opening practice at the Sachsenring

Romeo Ferraris’ Maxime Martin and Cupra EKS’ Adrian Tambay led the first free practice sessions at the Sachsenring, host of the final round of the 2022 FIA ETCR season, with both drivers among the four candidates to taking the title.

Martin was the fastest driver in the Pool Fast session, with a lap time of 1:28.555 at the wheel of the Romeo Ferraris Giulia ETCR, followed by Cupra EKS’ Mattias Ekström, who is also in contention for the title, 0.331 seconds behind.

Nicky Catsburg was the fastest from the Hyundai Motorsport N drivers, third with the Veloster N ETCR, 1.176 seconds off the pace, followed by Giovanni Venturini, with the second Giulia ETCR, 1.363 seconds adrift.

Tom Blomqvist was fifth with the second Cupra e-Racer, 1.620 seconds behind Martin, with Jean-Karl Vernay of Hyundai closing the classification, 1.697 seconds off the pace.

Cupra driver Adrien Tambay dominated the Pool Furious session with a best lap-time of 1:29.301, 0.626 seconds faster than Norbert Michelisz of Hyundai.

Mikel Azcona, with the second Veloster, was third, 0.687 seconds behind Tambay, followed by Romeo Ferraris’ Bruno Spengler, on his return to racing after his back injury, at the wheel of the repaired Romeo Ferraris Giulia ETCR.

Luca Filippi, with the second Giulia, was fifth, with Cupra EKS’ Jordi Gené closing the classification, 1.699 seconds behind his team-mate.

The FIA ETCR returns to action on Saturday morning at 08:00 CEST for the Pool Fast qualifying sessions.