Raffaele Marciello set the pace in the opening Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe session of the season, going quickest in Free Practice 1 at Brands Hatch on Saturday morning.

The AKKA ASP driver posted a best time of 1:23.310 in the No. 88 Mercedes-AMG GT3, going 0.170 seconds quickest at the top of the timesheets.

The first half of the 60-minute session was reserved for Bronze and Silver-rated drivers, with the entire 26-car field allowed on track for the final 30 minutes of running.

Attempto Racing placed second with its No. 55 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo driven by Nick Foster and Steijn Schothorst.

Nico Bastian led the Silver Cup from third place overall in his No. 89 AKKA ASP Mercedes, ahead of Markus Winkelhock and Christian Engelhart in fourth and fifth.

David Perel and Rinaldi Racing’s No. 333 Ferrari 488 GT3 led the Pro-Am category in 17th overall, ahead of entries from Orange 1 FFF Racing Team and Sainteloc Racing driven by Phil Keen and Stephane Ortelli.

The session ran without any major interruptions.

Free Practice 2 will get underway at 12:30 p.m. local time, ahead of qualifying at 3:55 p.m.

RESULTS: Free Practice 1