Porto, FP1: Menu shatters track record

Chevrolet set the pace again in this morning’s practice session. Under an overcast sky, with cool wind blowing from the sea, the track record (2:09.026) set by Rob Huff in yesterday’s test was literally shattered.

For most of the session Huff himself led off the dance. He first completed four consecutive laps, improving from 2:08.454 to 2:07.447, and then improved further to 2:07.085 with five minutes left on the clock.

However, his team-mates Yvan Muller and Alain Menu were able to oust him from the top as the Frenchman set a provisional fastest lap of 2:07.080 and finally Menu clocked an impressive 2:06.992 settling the matter for good.

Despite the Chevrolet pace, BMW and SUNRED drivers were not far behind. Tom Coronel was classified fourth (2:07.587) and local hero Tiago Monteiro fifth (2:07.825).

Fredy Barth (2:08.026) topped the Yokohama Trophy in sixth position overall, followed by Stefano D’Aste, Norbert Michelisz, Gabriele Tarquini and Pepe Oriola.

A total of 16 drivers were able to post lap times faster than the previous record, which was the direct consequence of the impressive improvements made to the track.