Not a cloud in the sky when the first free practice for the Portuguese round of the Blancpain Sprint Series started on Friday morning. All teams were eager to try their cars on the impressive Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao. Stephane Ortelli in the #9 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi was the first to go under 1’46, but the lap times came down quickly. Only minutes later Jeroen Bleekemolen in the #28 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini had gone over a second quicker and his time stood on top of the rankings for a long time. It wasn’t until Tomas Enge, second up until that point, put his #3 G-Drive Racing Lamborghini through its paces at some twenty minutes before the end of the session that Bleekemolen’s lap time was improved. Enge’s 1’43.624 remained the quickest time of the session. Lucas Wolf (#86 HTP Motorsport Mercedes) was quickest in Silver Cup - and 8th overall - while series newcomer Francisco Mora (#71 Sports & You Mercedes) was fastest in Pro-Am (12th overall).
Free practice 2 starts at 15:30 local time.
Tomas Enge makes an impression in first free practice
