Cheng is one of the drivers Kerr referred to as knowing the circuit well, from his days in Formula Renault UK and British F3, and the young Chinese star put that experience to good use by lapping second-quickest, ahead of the World Cup of Motorsport's newest race-winner from last time out in Shanghai, Jonathan Summerton in the Stars and Stripes ‘We The People' car.
Champions-elect Switzerland were fourth courtesy of Neel Jani – the former Champ Car and GP2 Series front-runner just over four tenths shy of the leading pace and ahead of Ireland's Adam Carroll and Indian Narain Karthikeyan in fifth and sixth places respectively.
Jonny Reid – the only man who can deny Switzerland the crown – was back in eighth behind the Netherlands' Jeroen Bleekemolen. The highly promising Filipe Albuquerque in the Portuguese entry and Frenchman Franck Montagny – who has never driven at
Brands Hatch before – completed the top ten.
“After it didn't totally work out initially, we made some good progress later on,” reflected Jani, who needs just four points from this weekend to secure the laurels regardless of what his Kiwi rival does. “The car was a little bit nervous all the time, but I am sure we will get that fixed by Sunday.”
“We are happy with the results of the first day,” added Swiss team principal Max Welti. “Neel didn't push it, like he had planned. He focussed on the set-up of the car instead.
“Here, we can't take any risks and therefore we have set other priorities for once. For us, Brands Hatch is not about race wins, but about winning the title. Neel has impressed me with his calm and collected way and his professional approach in developing the car. I am positive.”
