Rydell fastest in practice 1
Rickard Rydell topped the times in opening free practice for the World Touring Car Championship season finale at Macau on Friday morning
The SEAT driver, one of nine men fighting for the WTCC crown this weekend, was at the top of the timesheets for most of the session despite some big efforts from his rivals to demote him.
But although he was happy with the result, he admitted that he would be more comfortable if some of his SEAT teammates were nearer his time.
"Everything is okay," he said. "We appear to be about one second quicker through the back section of the circuit but we are a bit slow on the straight.
"If we are going to have any hope of the drivers' or manufacturers' championship then we need more SEATs up front - and we are going to have to think about how we can help each other with slipstreams in qualifying."
Rydell's closest challenger was reigning WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, who appeared to be practising his slipstream tactics with teammate Jan Magnussen during the session.
Nicola Larini maintained Chevrolet's impressive pace on the streets of Macau with the third quickest time, while BMW's Jorg Muller was fourth quickest. Muller appeared to lose time trapped behind Magnussen for much of the session, though.
There was worse news for title contender Dirk Muller, who damaged the front right of his car after colliding with the barriers at Faraway.
The impact ripped off the front right wheel of his car and he was unable to make it back to the pits, although he had still posted the fifth best time.
Practice times:
Pos Driver Make Time 1. Rickard Rydell SEAT Leon 2:34.315 2. Andy Priaulx BMW 320si 2:34.957 + 0.642 3. Nicola Larini Chevrolet Lacetti 2:35.085 + 0.770 4. Jorg Muller BMW 320si 2:35.330 + 1.015 5. Dirk Muller BMW 320si 2:35.592 + 1.277 6. Robert Huff Chevrolet Lacetti 2:35.621 + 1.306 7. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT Leon 2:35.621 + 1.306 8. James Thompson SEAT Leon 2:35.682 + 1.367 9. Alessandro Zanardi BMW 320si 2:35.906 + 1.591 10. Andre Couto SEAT Leon 2:35.976 + 1.661 11. Alain Menu Chevrolet Lacetti 2:35.992 + 1.677 12. Yvan Muller SEAT Leon 2:36.024 + 1.709 13. Tom Coronel SEAT Leon 2:36.100 + 1.785 14. Jan Magnussen BMW 320si 2:36.157 + 1.842 15. Fabrizio Giovanardi Honda Accord Euro R 2:36.238 + 1.923 16. Peter Terting SEAT Leon 2:36.486 + 2.171 17. Augusto Farfus Alfa Romeo 156 2:36.487 + 2.172 18. Jordi Gene SEAT Leon 2:36.876 + 2.561 19. Duncan Huisman BMW 320si 2:36.969 + 2.654 20. Gianni Morbidelli Alfa Romeo 156 2:38.216 + 3.901 21. Luca Rangoni BMW 320si 2:38.453 + 4.138 22. Stefano D'Aste BMW 320i 2:38.477 + 4.162 23. Salvatore Tavano Alfa Romeo 156 2:38.983 + 4.668 24. Maurizio Ceresoli SEAT Leon 2:44.303 + 9.988 25. Ao Chi Hong BMW 320i 2:50.514 + 16.199 26. Diego Romanini BMW 320i 2:56.840 + 22.525
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