Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline’s Robin Frijns set the fastest time in the only DTM practice at Brands Hatch, setting his time of 1 minute 16.318 seconds before heavy rain fell halfway through the session.

As the green flag waved the majority of the grid headed out, keen to get up to speed in the new Class One cars at what is a relatively new circuit for a number of the drivers.

Heavy overnight rain had dampened the track, however high winds and occasional sunshine meant the track had dried significantly. A number of drivers did head out on wet tyres, only to pit immediately for slicks.

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Audi Sport Team Phoenix’s Loïc Duval set the early pace, his first lap of 1 minute 16.998 seconds nearly a second faster than the fastest pole time a year ago. The pace of the new for 2019 cars being displayed very early on.

With half an hour to go Frijns lowered the bar again, to a 1 minute 16.318 seconds with time still to be found.

As the session neared halfway the skies darkened, and a rain began to fall around the circuit. The majority of drivers remained out on track, until the rain increased in intensity within the final 20 minutes.

With 12 minutes to go, Frijns, and BMW Team RMR’s Philipp Eng headed, before being joined by a number of cars on the now very wet track.

The only victim of the wet surface was R-Motorsport’s Ferdinand von Habsburg who found himself beached in the gravel trap at Druids with two three minutes remaining.

Frijns remained top, only 0.132 seconds faster than fellow Audi driver Duval, who improved to a time of 1 minute 16.450 seconds before the rain fell.

BMW Team RMG’s Marco Wittmann was third fastest, setting a time of 1 minute 16.553 seconds, and the last of the drivers to break into the 16’s.

Half a second further back was Timo Glock, the BMW Team RMR driver was fourth fastest and 0.767 seconds slower than Frijns.

Championship contender Nico Müller was fifth fastest, some 0.872 seconds slower than his Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline teammate.

Assen race two winner Audi Sport Team Phoenix’s Mike Rockenfeller was sixth fastest, only six thousandths slower than Müller.

Audi Sport Team WRT rookie Jonathan Aberdein was seventh fastest with a 1 minute 17.295 second lap, ahead of fellow rookie BMW Team RBM’s Sheldon van der Linde who was only eight thousandths further back.

R-Motorsport’s Daniel Juncadella broke into the top ten with an impressive time of 1 minute 17.372 seconds, one second adrift of Frijns’ best. The Spaniard who took his maiden victory in race one at Brands Hatch last year showing improved pace in the new Vantage.

BMW Team RMR’s Bruno Spengler rounded out the top ten, with a time of 1 minute 17.456 seconds, with a deficit of 1.138 seconds to the fastest.

Standings leader Audi Sport Team Rosberg’s René Rast was 13th fastest with a time of 1 minute 17.604 seconds, the 2017 champion was over a second slower than the fastest lap.

Session results