Point standings’ leader Canadian driver Bruno Spengler (Mercedes C-Class DTM), set the fastest time in the first free practice session held Friday in Hockenheim.

Spengler set his best lap time in 1:20.623, 22 thousands of a second ahead of his Mercedes teammate Gary Paffett, and Maro Engel (+0.118) who drives a 2008-spec C Class Mercedes.

Bruno Spengler, Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Photo: dtm.com)

Frenchman Alexandre Premat was quickest of the Audi drivers with a fourth place in his 2008-spec A4.

Scotland’s Paul Di Resta, who stands second in the standings after two consecutive wins, was 7th quickest in his 2009 C-Class, 0.360 behind Spengler.

The drivers are using for the first time a shortened version of the Hockenheim circuit, which is 20 per cent shorter than the normal Grand Prix track.

Hockenheim – Free practice 1:
1. Bruno Spengler (Mercedes Class C 09) – 1’20’’623
2. Gary Paffett (Mercedes Class C 09) + 0’’022
3. Maro Engel (Mercedes Class C 08) + 0’’118
4. Alexandre Premat (Audi A4 08) + 0’’198
5. Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 08) + 0’’239
6. Jamie Green (Mercedes Class C 08) + 0’’256
7. Paul Di Resta (Mercedes Class C 09) + 0’’360
8. Miguel Molina (Audi A4 08) + 0’’414
9. Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes Class C 09) + 0’’435
10. David Coulthard (Mercedes Class C 08) + 0’’450
etc.