Lopez fastest morning after taking WTCC championship

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Jose Maria Lopez topped the timing screens this morning, setting the fastest lap of the session in the dying moments. The newcomer knocked Jean-Eric Vergne from the top spot.

The miserable weather didn’t keep most of the drivers off of the track, and the times were tumbling by the end of the session as, in the space of ten minutes, five different drivers were at the top of the timings. Strangely, none of them were a Renault e.dams or and ABT driver, who we’re expecting to see battling at the top of the field this season.

It was a slow start to the day, with Antonio Felix da Costa the first driver to start setting timed laps after, but it wasn’t until the DS Virgin duo headed out onto the track that the times really started to tumble. Sam Bird and team mate Lopez briefly held a 1-2 at the top of the timings before the Dragon Racing carsand Techeetcha’s Vergne spoilt the fun.

Bird eventually ended the morning fourth on the timings, behind Jerome d’Ambrosio, Vergne, and Lopez.

Not only was Lopez the fastest man on track, he also completed the most timed laps, finishing nineteen by the end of the session. Oliver Turvey completed the next highest number, sixteen in total.

There was no sign of a Venturi on track at Donington, though as the team were still piecing together their cars during the morning session. Or, strangely, Sebastien Buemi, who hadn’t arrived at the track yet.

Testing now continues until six this evening.

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Image courtesy of Rajan Jangda

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