France on top in first practice
Alexandre Premat continued in Estoril where Team France teammate Nicolas Lapierre left off in Lausitz by setting the fastest time in the opening free practice session
At a cold and windy Estoril, the session kicked off on a damp track, but with the overhanging rain clouds holding off on the expected downpour a dry line emerged as time wore on.
This caused laptimes to tumble towards the end of the hour, and it was then that Premat went around the former GP venue in 1:33.024.
A1 GP newcomer Adrian Sutil did a good job to end up second quickest for Germany, while Tomas Enge was on the pace in third for the Czech Republic.
Another newcomer, Team Australia's Will Davison, was a strong fourth, while championship leader Nelson Piquet Jr of Team Brazil was fifth.
The mixed conditions meant that Team GBR opted to keep Robbie Kerr in the car for all the running, leaving Alex Lloyd on the sidelines once again, and the Brit ended up seventh. Team Ireland were 11th with Ralph Firman.
Pos Team Time Laps
1. France 1:33.024 14
2. Germany 1:33.700 + 0.676 17
3. Czech Republic 1:33.734 + 0.710 19
4. Australia 1:34.065 + 1.041 16
5. Brazil 1:34.085 + 1.061 16
6. Portugal 1:34.699 + 1.675 16
7. Great Britain 1:35.283 + 2.259 17
8. Netherlands 1:35.302 + 2.278 15
9. Switzerland 1:35.590 + 2.566 15
10. Malaysia 1:35.915 + 2.891 15
11. Ireland 1:35.992 + 2.968 10
12. Italy 1:36.055 + 3.031 16
13. Russia 1:36.367 + 3.343 20
14. Canada 1:36.374 + 3.350 12
15. Austria 1:36.482 + 3.458 21
16. South Africa 1:36.777 + 3.753 17
17. Usa 1:37.534 + 4.510 11
18. Pakistan 1:38.978 + 5.954 7
19. New Zealand 1:39.361 + 6.337 17
20. Lebanon 1:41.157 + 8.133 16
21. Indonesia 1:44.914 + 11.890 10
22. India 1:45.263 + 12.239 23
23. China 1:45.388 + 12.364 8
24. Mexico 1:45.400 + 12.376 12
All Timing Unofficial
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