The new TCR Europe Series went underway at Le Castellet’s Circuit Paul Ricard with a 30-minute Practice in which Mikel Azcona and Reece Barr emerged as the fastest drivers.
Barr posted a provisional fastest time of 2:14.744 in his Target Competition Hyundai i30 N, but was soon ousted by Azcona who drove his PCR Sport Cupra around the French track in 2:14.214.
In the final minutes of the session they both were able to improve: Azcona to 2:14.116 and Barr to 2:14.565; M1RA’s Dániel Nagy climbed to third with a lap of 2:14.670 in his Hyundai, while Barr’s teammate Dušan Borković ranked in fourth (2:15.111), eighth thousandths of a second faster that Josh Files’ Hell Energy Racing Honda Civic (2:15.119).
Igor Stefanovski set the sixth fastest lap (2:15.173) and was followed by Jean-Karl Vernay’s Audi (2:15.267), Attila Tassi’s Honda (2:15.492), Danny Kroes’ Cupra (2:15.659) and Jens-Reno Møller’s Honda (2:15.667).
A number of drivers took the session very easily, because it was the first time they had the opportunity to drive their racing car. Unfortunately Julien Briché did not show, as he still has to take delivery of his Peugeot 308 TCR.  
The second free practice will start at 17:50.