The dying moments of the session provided plenty of improvements. Norbert Michelisz’s Honda Civic set the second fastest lap of 2:32.218, beating Yvan Muller’s Chevrolet Cruze (2:32.372) and the other Honda of Tiago Monteiro (2:32.693).

 

Pepe Oriola ranked in fifth (2:32.780) with Stefano D’Aste in sixth (2:33.314) and best of the BMW drivers and the Yokohama Trophy competitors, despite an early collision with Campos Racing’s newcomer Konstantins Calko at Moorish bend. 

 

Chilton, Coronel, Thompson and Bennani rounded out the top ten. Michael Soong topped the Asia Trophy competitors in 22nd position overall, followed by Henry Ho in 23rd. 

 

A few drivers had moments: Mak Ka Lok spun at the ‘R’ bend, Franz Engstler brushed the wall and was forced to pit for repairs, Yukinori Taniguchi crashed heavily into the wall at the Reservoir bend, which caused the session being red-flagged.

 

Friday will see the WTCC field take to the track for two thirty-minute Free Practice sessions, before the two-stage Qualifying begins at 15.35 local time (8.35 CET).