Mikkel Mac goes quickest in opening free practice

Mikkel Mac was the quickest man during the opening free practice session at the Nurburgring ahead of this weekend's rounds seven and eight of the FIA Formula Two Championship.

The 18-year-old newcomer posted a best time of 1:51.199s around the F1 circuit closely followed by Mirko Bortolotti and Armaan Ebrahim. Will Bratt, who took his maiden win at Spa last weekend, was fourth fastest with fellow countryman Jack Clarke rounding out the top five for the 45-minute session, which saw competitors have to deal with damp track conditions.

After an early downpour, the capacity field of 24 drivers were greeted with a slippery track for the start of the session. Jordan King headed the timesheets early on – once again impressing after his F2 debut last weekend at Spa in which he secured his maiden points finish.

It was then the turn of Johannes Theobald, one of four drivers racing this weekend on their local track, to go top as the tarmac on the racing line began to dry.

Current championship leader Mirko Bortolotti and second place Christopher Zanella then took it in turns at the top with the two posting times in the low 1min 52s before Dane Mac set the fastest time on lap 10.

Spaniard Miki Monras was sixth fastest with King in seventh and Tobias Hegewald eighth fastest. Zanella ended the session ninth overall with Brit Alex Brundle completing the top 10.

The F2 cars are next on track at 15:25 (local) time for Free Practice Two.

Nurburgring results, Free Practice One:

1. Mikkel Mac, 1:51.199s
2. Mirko Bortolotti, +0.166s
3. Armaan Ebrahim, +0.167s
4. Will Bratt, +0.233s
5. Jack Clarke, +0.460s
6. Miki Monras, +0.584s
7. Jordan King, +0.602s
8. Tobias Hegewald, +0.663s
9. Christopher Zanella, +0.771s
10. Alex Brundle, +0.774s