It’s time for the first practise session of the weekend in Berlin, with many new faces on track due to the contemporary round of the World Endurance Championship as well as Sam Bird’s hand injury dn following surgery.
The session began with all drivers immediately out on track and the usual full course yellow yellow simulation, as well as Wehrlein‘s Porsche stopping on track at Turn 9, issuing the first red flag of the weekend.
It’s definitely not the start the championship leader was hoping for his and his team’s home rounds. Eriksson leads provisionally with a 1:04.87s from the ABT duo of Di Grassi and Kelvin Van Der Linde
Running “resumed ” with 15 minutes left on the clock, as the new Envision lineup of Aron and Eriksson are the first to return on the new Berlin layout. Ten minutes have been added to the length of the session.
Andretti’s Nato, following a disappointing home round in Monaco, goes fastest in the session, but his effort is immediately improved by Da Costa. Many drivers are cycling as the lead, with latest race winner Mitch Evans up next.
Photo credits: Tag Heuer Porsche
At the 20 minutes mark of the session Gunther has the fastest lap in 1:03.400s, followed by the Jaguar duo of Evans and Cassidy. The former Envision driver is later the first to sign a lap in the 1:02s, with reigning champion Jake Dennis taking the lead with a 1:02.800s with 15 minutes left.
As the clouds in the sky get darker and darker, first timer and Formula 2 driver Paul Aron struggles to complete the loop needed to take up the Attack Mode. His teammate Nato joins him as well on the provisional podium.
The DS Penske duo of Vandoorne and Vergne, who have opted to skip their Endurnace race in Spa with Peugeot, are the ones to go on top next with seven minutes to go in the session, later split by Maserati’s Daruvala.
In the final, heated moments of the session Da Costa took the top spot with a 1:02.28s, followed by an impressive Sette Camara for ERT and Vandoorne. The Maserati duo complete the top 5, with Cassidy, Vergne, Evans, Ticktum and Eriksson rounding up the top 10.
