Schumacher tops practice, but Ticktum takes provisional pole

Schumacher quickest when it did not count

Formula 3 European champion Mick Schumacher drew first blood in the Macau Grand Prix weekend by topping the opening free practice session with a lap of 2m12.168s.

However, Motopark driver Dan Ticktum put himself on provisional pole for Saturday’s Macau Grand Prix qualification race after a series of red flags in a dramatic first qualifying session on Thursday.

Red Bull junior Ticktum’s lap of two minutes, 11 seconds was 0.132 seconds quicker than Ferrari protege Callum Ilott of Carlin F3, as he bids for back-to-back wins in Macau.

With rain forecast for Friday, the front row for Saturday could already be set.

Ticktum quickest when it counted, but was helped by a tow

Formula Three champion Mick Schumacher had to settle for third for Prema Powerteam, after finishing top of the earlier free practice session.

"It was good but I'm not completely satisfied," said Ticktum.

"There are quite a few improvements to come for the car and the driver, and I need to be doing better than a 2m11.0s to be honest.

"The lap was good, I'm not denying that, but it can always be better – I'm not disappointed, but I'm not over the moon either."

Practice 1 Results