Gabriele Tarquini set the fastest time of the morning during the first practice session with a lap in 1:41.938, which was only 0.049 seconds faster than Jörg Müller’s 1:41.987. Actually they were the only two drivers capable to break the 1:42. barrier. Just after he set his fastest lap, the German driver was involved in a collision with Tom Coronel and violently hit the wall before the Dunlop bridge. He escaped unscathed, but his BMW suffered from massive damages. Apparently the collision was due to a misunderstanding, however the Stewards fined Coronel by 750.00 euro. 

Tarquini’s team-mate Nicola Larini set the third fastest time (1:42.245), with Dirk Müller fourth (1:42.427). Local hero Andy Priaulx was classified fifth, followed by Antonio García and Rickard Rydell. The second session was incredibly close, with seventeen of the nineteen drivers who hit the track covered in nine tenths. Dirk Müller emerged as the fastest driver, setting a lap in 1:42.246, beating Larini by only 0.132 seconds. Third in the list and first of the Independent drivers was Duncan Huisman, with a time of 1:42.455. 

Very good news for Volvo and Honda. At the wheel of his ART Engineering Volvo S60, Rydell set the fourth fastest time with a lap in 1:42.474, which was only two tenths behind Müller’s and one tousandth faster than fifth-placed Fabio Francia’s. Salvatore Tavano and his PRO Motorsport Honda Civic were timed in 1:42.481, which meant the 12th fastest time, but only four tenths behind. The only driver who did not take part in the session was Jörg Müller, whose BMW is under repairs following his first session crash.

Nicola LARINI: “I enjoyed the fight with Gabriele (Tarquini). I’m very happy I managed to steal the pole from him. This is a good start for the weekend, but I’m really focusing on tomorrow’s races, because I need to win. I wish to maintain my chances for the championship and here I have a great chance to get back amongst the drivers who are fighting for the European title. This morning the conditions of the track were not very good, because yesterday’s rain washed the asphalt and reduced the grip. But in the afternoon the grip was much better and I’m not surprised I managed to improve last year’s pole by one second.” 

Gabriele TARQUINI: “Honestly I’m surprised, because I did not expect to fight for the pole with 30 kg of ballast onboard, which should count at least three tenths over the lap time. But this track suits very well our cars. Nicola did an excellent job and deserved the pole, but tomorrow I’ll try to beat him. I have a good feeling, although the BMW cars should be very competitive over the race distance.”