Norbert Michelisz

Tiago Monteiro left it late to clock the fastest time in Free Practice 1 for FIA WTCC AFRIQUIA Race of Morocco.

Driving a Honda Civic WTCC, Monteiro set his session-topping best lap in the closing moments of the session to deny factory team-mate Norbert Michelisz by a slender 0.003s.

It continues a strong start to the Marrakech weekend for the works Honda squad following Rob Huff’s testing best on Friday as drivers acclimatise to the new-look 2.971-kilometre Circuit Moulay El Hassan, which is being used for the first time this weekend following a major overhaul.

World champion José María López was third fastest for Citroën with Huff fourth and Thed Björk fifth and the leading Volvo-Polestar driver.

Nicky Catsburg was the fastest LADA runner in sixth followed by team-mate Hugo Valente.

Home hero Mehdi Bennani was the quickest WTCC Trophy contender in eighth with Tom Coronel and Gabriele Tarquini completing the top 10.

Source: FIA WTCC

Results of FP1: