Tom Coronel posted the fastest lap of 1:43.574 in the first free practice session that was run under a cloudy sky and with a treat of rain.

Gabriele Tarquini was the first one to clock a significant time – 1:44.124 – on his first lap out of the pits, however he was soon demoted to third by Michell Nykjær’s 1:43.928 and Mehdi Bennani’s 1:44.115.

Halfway through the session, Tarquini re-took the lead with a lap of 1:43.888, but soon afterwards it was Coronel to post the fastest lap for good.

In the late stages of the session, Rob Huff and Yvan Muller moved up to second and third with times of 1:43.703 and 1:43.794 respectively.

Tom Chilton ranked fourth (1:43.798), ahead of Bennani (1:43.807), Tarquini and Nykjær. Local newcomer Nikolai Karamyshev posted an impressive tenth fastest time of 1:44.232 at the wheel of his Campos Racing SEAT car.

A few drivers had moments at turn 9:Karamyshev, Stefano D’Aste and Fredy Barth were among thosewho ran very wide there, while Muller and Nykjær danced sideways through turns 9 and 10.

Coronel had a spin at turn 14 and D’Aste went off at turn 10 a few minutes before the end of the session.