Friday practice: Schneider back on top
Bernd Schneider left it late, 2m20secs until the end of the session to be precise, but led the way after an ultra-close day of free practice at the Norisring
In the shadow of the imposing Steintribune, Schneider lapped his AMG Mercedes CLK in 49.707s, 0.055s quicker than the Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R of Christian Abt. Making it all three marques in the top three, Norisring specialist Joachim Winkelhock was third fastest for Opel on 49.839s.
Backing him up was Opel colleague Timo Scheider, who was fourth fastest ahead of Uwe Alzen (Mercedes) and the impressive Bernd Maylander in the first of the 2001 Mercs.
Michael Bartels, another Norisring ace, slipped in a late flyer in his Opel to depose ex-Formula 1 star Jean Alesi's Mercedes. Stefan Mucke enjoyed his best ever DTM test session with the ninth fastest time, ahead of Audi's young gun Mattias Ekstrom.
Championship leader Laurent Aiello was a distant 13th fastest, the Frenchman reflecting his disappointing form of last year around the venue. Also surprisingly lacklustre were Opel's Alain Menu (16th fastest) and Britain's Peter Dumbreck, who was only 19th quickest in his 2001 Mercedes. There is more testing tomorrow morning before qualifying begins
at lunchtime local time
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