DTM Hungaroring: Jamie Green leads Audi top four lockout in practice
Jamie Green set the pace in a damp opening DTM practice at the Hungaroring, as the best non-Audi car was half a second away
With rule changes taking Audi's aerodynamic advantage away for 2018, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer struggled in the first two weekends of the season.
Green in particular had a low-key start to the season, never qualifying higher than 16th and admitting the 2018 version of the car isn't the best-suited to his driving style.
However he topped the Friday afternoon practice, leading three of his stablemates at a track that was dominated by Audi in the past two seasons.
While conditions were hot throughout Friday at the Hungaroring, light rain hit the track during the practice.
Green's 1m38.351s was 0.013s better than rookie Robin Frijns' benchmark as reigning champion Rene Rast was third.
Rast is back to driving duties with the same chassis he crashed heavily at the Lausitzring.
Nico Muller completed an all-Audi top four, 0.459s off the pace.
Joel Eriksson and Daniel Juncadella led BMW's and Mercedes' efforts in fifth and sixth respectively, with Marco Wittmann taking seventh.
Philipp Eng edged Paul di Resta out by 0.008s for eighth as the top 10 was completed by points leader Timo Glock.
Glock's main championship rival Gary Paffett, who is only one point behind him in the standings, was 12th.
Free practice times
| Pos | Driver | Team | Car | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Green | Rosberg | Audi | 1m38.351s | - | 17 |
| 2 | Robin Frijns | Abt | Audi | 1m38.364s | 0.013s | 16 |
| 3 | Rene Rast | Rosberg | Audi | 1m38.470s | 0.119s | 17 |
| 4 | Nico Muller | Abt | Audi | 1m38.810s | 0.459s | 19 |
| 5 | Joel Eriksson | RBM | BMW | 1m38.850s | 0.499s | 15 |
| 6 | Daniel Juncadella | HWA | Mercedes | 1m38.913s | 0.562s | 16 |
| 7 | Marco Wittmann | RMG | BMW | 1m38.970s | 0.619s | 18 |
| 8 | Philipp Eng | RMR | BMW | 1m39.025s | 0.674s | 13 |
| 9 | Paul Di Resta | HWA | Mercedes | 1m39.033s | 0.682s | 19 |
| 10 | Timo Glock | RMR | BMW | 1m39.076s | 0.725s | 19 |
| 11 | Augusto Farfus | RMG | BMW | 1m39.132s | 0.781s | 18 |
| 12 | Gary Paffett | HWA | Mercedes | 1m39.132s | 0.781s | 15 |
| 13 | Pascal Wehrlein | HWA | Mercedes | 1m39.170s | 0.819s | 15 |
| 14 | Lucas Auer | HWA | Mercedes | 1m39.209s | 0.858s | 18 |
| 15 | Mike Rockenfeller | Phoenix | Audi | 1m39.290s | 0.939s | 18 |
| 16 | Bruno Spengler | RBM | BMW | 1m39.441s | 1.090s | 14 |
| 17 | Loic Duval | Phoenix | Audi | 1m39.524s | 1.173s | 17 |
| 18 | Edoardo Mortara | HWA | Mercedes | 1m39.651s | 1.300s | 19 |
Berger expects DTM/Super GT race for 2019 as Class One moves closer
DTM Hungaroring: Di Resta takes pole after Auer mistake
Espargaro "shocked" to match Marquez on new KTM MotoGP chassis
Espargaro "shocked" to match Marquez on new KTM MotoGP chassis Espargaro "shocked" to match Marquez on new KTM MotoGP chassis
Espargaro: Zarco doesn't deserve factory Honda MotoGP ride in 2020
Espargaro: Zarco doesn't deserve factory Honda MotoGP ride in 2020 Espargaro: Zarco doesn't deserve factory Honda MotoGP ride in 2020
Rossi faded in Australian GP as he was "slowest on the straight"
Rossi faded in Australian GP as he was "slowest on the straight" Rossi faded in Australian GP as he was "slowest on the straight"
The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival
The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival
Muller slams Green's "over the border" defending at Zolder DTM
Muller slams Green's "over the border" defending at Zolder DTM Muller slams Green's "over the border" defending at Zolder DTM
Muller doesn't blame Green for costly Nurburgring DTM spin
Muller doesn't blame Green for costly Nurburgring DTM spin Muller doesn't blame Green for costly Nurburgring DTM spin
Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return
Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return
WRC Chile: Evans leads as Lappi, Loubet suffer high-speed rolls
WRC Chile: Evans leads as Lappi, Loubet suffer high-speed rolls WRC Chile: Evans leads as Lappi, Loubet suffer high-speed rolls
Aston Martin: 2026 gearbox “a golden opportunity” for F1 to cut costs
Aston Martin: 2026 gearbox “a golden opportunity” for F1 to cut costs Aston Martin: 2026 gearbox “a golden opportunity” for F1 to cut costs
Bagnaia can take “deep breath” after solving Ducati MotoGP braking issues
Bagnaia can take “deep breath” after solving Ducati MotoGP braking issues Bagnaia can take “deep breath” after solving Ducati MotoGP braking issues
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022 Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir
How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir
The remarkable career of a 'classy' champion who rejected politics
The remarkable career of a 'classy' champion who rejected politics The remarkable career of a 'classy' champion who rejected politics
The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival
The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival
How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions
How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions
How Audi's new DTM star is channeling Rast to achieve his "childhood dream"
How Audi's new DTM star is channeling Rast to achieve his "childhood dream" How Audi's new DTM star is channeling Rast to achieve his "childhood dream"
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.