Dean Stoneman dominates day one of post-season GP3 test
Dean Stoneman has powered his way to the top of the timing sheets after the opening day of the GP3 post-season test around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, only several days after impressing many during the season finale for Koiranen GP. The Briton was followed by rookies’ Pierre Gasly and Oliver Rowland at the sharp-end of the order.
As the Formula 1 fraternity takes a break before reconvening around Austin’s Circuit of the Americas for the first of the final two races of the season, both the GP2 and GP3 Series have remained at Abu Dhabi to carry out their post-season tests around the glorious Yas Marina Circuit. At the start of the morning session British rookie Jan Mardenborough became the first driver to take to the track for Carlin, before Adderly Fong produced the initial benchmark for Koiranen GP.
The first of two red flag delays occurred when GP3 regular David Fumanelli made light contact with the barrier at Turn 8, causing damage to his Jenzer Motorsport machine. As soon as the track action was resumed, the times naturally began to tumble as more drivers began taking to the track. After a highly impressive return to single-seater racing last weekend, British ace Dean Stoneman was quick to rise to the top for Koiranen GP with a time well within the 01:56s ahead of Dino Zamparelli in the MW Arden and Alex Fontana in the ART Grand Prix.
Sam Bird completed a combined 43 laps of development work for Russian Time’s new GP3 team.
After ending the GP2 Series as runner-up to Switzerland’s Fabio Leimer, Sam Bird was behind the wheel of the GP3/13 machine for the opening day of the post-season test. The Briton was carrying out development work for rookies Russian Time, who were gaining their first day of track action in the GP3 Series after purchasing Bamboo Engineering. Sam Bird was instantly on the pace, producing consistent lap times towards the sharp-end of the order in stark contrast to his rookie team-mate of Kuba Dalewski.
The morning session drew to a conclusion with Dean Stoneman in control at the top of the timing sheets with a 01:56.278 after completing 18 laps for Koiranen GP. The 23-year-old ended the session ahead of GP3 regulars Patric Niederhauser for Jenzer Motorsport and Dino Zamparelli for MW Arden, with Sam Bird a close 4th for Russian Time. Former British Formula Three driver Jan Mardenborough was the fastest rookie for Carlin in 6th, only sixth tenths off of the pace set by Dean Stoneman.
After making way for the GP2 Series to take to the Yas Marina Circuit, the 27-car field returned to the circuit for the afternoon session. A red flag delay ensued almost immediately, after the Jenzer Motorsport of Kevin Joerg ground to a halt out on track. Once the Abu Dhabi marshals had cleared the stricken machine, the session was resumed allowing rookie Pierre Gasly to storm to the top of the timing sheets for ART Grand Prix, in doing so becoming the first driver of the day to produce a lap time within the 01:55s.
The reigning Formula Renault 2.0 European Champion remained at the top of the order for a whole hour, before fellow rookie Oliver Rowland displaced the Frenchman for Marussia Manor Racing. As the opening day of the post-season test drew to a conclusion, Dean Stoneman reasserted his authority over proceedings for Koiranen GP, producing a 01:55.829 which would remain unchallenged. Behind the Briton Pierre Gasly managed to pip former Formula Renault 2.0 European rival Oliver Rowland to 2nd position, with Sam Bird once again a competitive 4th for Russian Time.
The GP3 field will return to the Yas Marina Circuit for the second day of track action tomorrow morning at 9am local time, with the afternoon session scheduled to start at 3pm later in the day.
Morning times Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Dean Stoneman Koiranen 1m56.278s 18 2. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m56.584s +0.306s 19 3. Dino Zamparelli MW Arden 1m56.649s +0.371s 18 4. Sam Bird Russian Time 1m56.711s +0.433s 16 5. Kevin Korjus Status 1m56.837s +0.559s 16 6. Jan Mardenborough Carlin 1m56.858s +0.580s 22 7. Melville McKee Manor 1m56.921s +0.643s 25 8. Alex Fontana ART 1m56.927s +0.649s 20 9. Roman de Beer Trident 1m56.986s +0.708s 27 10. Emil Bernstorff Carlin 1m57.067s +0.789s 24 11. Pierre Gasly ART 1m57.198s +0.920s 19 12. Marvin Kirchhofer MW Arden 1m57.211s +0.933s 20 13. Oliver Rowland Manor 1m57.430s +1.152s 12 14. Edward Jones MW Arden 1m57.511s +1.233s 16 15. Jimmy Eriksson Russian Time 1m57.635s +1.357s 8 16. Adderly Fong Koiranen 1m57.665s +1.387s 20 17. Emanuele Zonzini ART 1m57.670s +1.392s 19 18. David Fumanelli Jenzer 1m57.881s +1.603s 15 19. Jordan King Status 1m57.883s +1.605s 5 20. Nick Cassidy Status 1m58.023s +1.745s 19 21. Nicholas Latifi Carlin 1m58.349s +2.071s 21 22. Santiago Urrutia Koiranen 1m58.701s +2.423s 21 23. Ryan Cullen Manor 1m58.771s +2.493s 26 24. Kevin Joerg Jenzer 1m59.080s +2.802s 26 25. Ivan Taranov Trident 1m59.225s +2.947s 27 26. Juan Branger Trident 2m02.334s +6.056s 20 27. Kuba Dalewski Russian Time 2m03.730s +7.452s 6 Afternoon times Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Dean Stoneman Koiranen 1m55.829s 25 2. Pierre Gasly ART 1m55.940s +0.111s 29 3. Oliver Rowland Manor 1m55.967s +0.138s 17 4. Sam Bird Russian Time 1m56.028s +0.199s 27 5. Kevin Korjus Status 1m56.419s +0.590s 24 6. Alex Fontana ART 1m56.432s +0.603s 25 7. Marvin Kirchhofer MW Arden 1m56.468s +0.639s 26 8. Jan Mardenborough Carlin 1m56.469s +0.640s 33 9. Roman de Beer Trident 1m56.549s +0.720s 23 10. Nick Cassidy Status 1m56.603s +0.774s 16 11. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m56.614s +0.785s 24 12. Dino Zamparelli MW Arden 1m56.628s +0.799s 25 13. Adderly Fong Koiranen 1m56.653s +0.824s 25 14. Emil Bernstorff Carlin 1m56.678s +0.849s 33 15. Edward Jones MW Arden 1m56.845s +1.016s 23 16. Jimmy Eriksson Russian Time 1m56.904s +1.075s 28 17. Emanuele Zonzini ART 1m57.019s +1.190s 29 18. Melville McKee Manor 1m57.247s +1.418s 23 19. David Fumanelli Jenzer 1m57.269s +1.440s 20 20. Jordan King Status 1m57.274s +1.445s 26 21. Santiago Urrutia Koiranen 1m57.295s +1.466s 22 22. Nicholas Latifi Carlin 1m57.381s +1.552s 30 23. Ryan Cullen Manor 1m57.675s +1.846s 25 24. Ivan Taranov Trident 1m57.978s +2.149s 30 25. Juan Branger Trident 1m58.652s +2.823s 34 26. Kevin Joerg Jenzer 1m58.798s +2.969s 14 27. Kuba Dalewski Russian Time 1m59.116s +3.287s 30
Picture(s) Copyright © Sam Bloxham/GP3 Series Media Service
Ellinas fends off Stoneman to take final race victory in GP3 at Abu Dhabi
Tio Ellinas has managed to hold off the advances of Dean Stoneman to take the final race victory of the 2013 GP3 season, after yet another thrilling race around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. The leading duo were closely followed by a throng of drivers, with Conor Daly only just ahead of team-mate Jack Harvey and Champion Daniil Kvyat.
At the start Tio Ellinas stormed into the lead of the race, whilst initial poleman Patrick Kujala endured a torrid getaway off of the line and plummeted down the order with Dean Stoneman and Conor Daly swamping the Finn during the opening few corners. Despite some drivers running wide on the exit of Turn 1 and a slight wheel-banging contest between Facu Regalia and Emanuele Zonzini, the field managed to negotiate the tricky first sector without too much trouble.
By the end of the opening lap Dean Stoneman was beginning to pile serious amounts of pressure on race leader Tio Ellinas, with Conor Daly also proving to be a threat in 3rd position. Further down the order battles raged on, with Dino Zamparelli and Robert Visoiu in particular lightly colliding at the end of the long back-straight. Luckily both drivers managed to continue racing, with no serious damage sustained to either of their cars. At the front of the pack Tio Ellinas asserted his authority by producing the fastest lap of the race, in a bid to break away from the hard-charging Dean Stoneman.
As the race wore on newly-crowned Champion Daniil Kvyat soon began scything his way through the order, after initially starting the race from way down in 8th due to the reversal of the top eight after the opening race of the weekend. Eventually the impressive Russian managed to nip ahead of the Carlin of Nick Yelloly for 6th at Turn 7, before then being forced to defend heavily as the Briton strove to retake the position down the back-straight. After securing the reverse grid pole, Finnish driver Patrick Kujala began to seriously struggle as the race progressed.
Soon the 17-year-old Finn was under severe pressure from the MW Arden of Daniil Kvyat, who managed to simply glide around the outside of him for 5th position. Despite Kvyat’s impressive maneuver on Kujala, others found it difficult to find a way around the Koiranen GP driver. As the race progressed, a long line of drivers began to form behind Patrick Kujala, headed by the Carlin duo of Nick Yelloly and Alexander Sims. After many laps striving to repeat Daniil Kvyat’s move around the outside, Yelloly and Sims finally muscled their way around the Finn at Turn 14 in superlative style.
This maneuver by the duo finally opened the proverbial floodgates for the rest of the field, as Patrick Kujala unfortunately continued to plummet through the order as the final laps of the race ticked away. After being released from behind the Koiranen GP driver, Nick Yelloly managed to produce the fastest lap of the race as the battle at the front began to intensify within the closing laps.
With only several laps remaining, Dean Stoneman began reeling in race leader Tio Ellinas once again. Meanwhile Conor Daly was beginning to be pressurized by team-mate Jack Harvey, with Champion Daniil Kvyat waiting in the wings should anyone make a mistake. Despite the two ART Grand Prix drivers of Conor Daly and Jack Harvey running side-by-side down the back-straight, the positions at the front remained unchanged as Tio Ellinas once again crossed the line to secure the final race victory of the season for Marussia Manor Racing.
During the final lap the Cypriot’s team-mate of Ryan Cullen was involved in a minor incident with the Jenzer Motorsport of Samin Gomez, however both drivers managed to make it to the finish albeit towards the rear of the order. Alice Powell endured a frustrating return to the GP3 Series for Bamboo Engineering, however her pace on the final lap showed she certainly has the pace in the GP3/13 machine.
With the 2013 GP3 Series season now officially at a conclusion, many drivers will be aiming to ‘graduate’ to other categories in their quest to eventually make it in the frenetic world of Formula 1. Daniil Kvyat has already secured such ambitions, and will return next season behind the wheel of the Toro Rosso. With such a fearsome display of pace throughout the season, the Russian ace will undoubtedly be an exciting new prospect for the Red Bull family.
Picture Copyright © Sam Bloxham/GP3 Series Media Service
Aaro Vainio storms to GP3 victory after lights-to-flag drive at Budapest
Aaro Vainio has stormed to his third GP3 victory around the Hungaroring, after a masterful lights-to-flag drive from the Finn who managed to fend off the charging Conor Daly during the closing laps. The leading duo were followed by Russian ace Daniil Kvyat in the MW Arden, with Jack Harvey 4th.
At the start Aaro Vainio stormed into a commanding lead over Conor Daly, as the 27-car field negotiated the tricky first few corners without incident. During the opening few laps Championship leader Tio Ellinas plummeted through the order, after first Patric Niederhauser and then Alex Fontana and Dino Zamparelli all overtook the struggling Cypriot. Whilst the field began to evenly spread themselves out around the tight and twisty confines of the Hungaroring, Aaro Vainio managed to open up a comfortable two second lead over the American ace of Conor Daly.
By Lap 9 Tio Ellinas managed to recover after his highly uncompetitive start to the race, with the Marussia Manor Racing driver managing to overtake Dino Zamparelli down the start/finish straight. As the race progressed numerous battles raged on up and down the order, with the likes of Patric Niederhauser, Giovanni Venturini and Tio Ellinas all battling hard for position. The latter began pushing beyond the limits in the closing stages of the race, as he dipped a wheel onto the grass and run extensively wide on the exit of Turn 4 but managed to rejoin.
The flow of the race was disrupted on Lap 12, after a big shunt between Luis Sa Silva and Emanuele Zonzini, with Samin Gomez also involved but miraculously able to continue. As Sa Silva, Zonzini and Gomez negotiated Turn 1, utter disaster struck when Gomez collided with Sa Silva and the unsuspecting Trident of Zonzini barrel-rolled over the Angolan driver. This incident naturally brought out the safety car, as the efficient marshals cleared the two stricken cars and debris.
After only several laps behind the safety car the race was resumed, with Conor Daly pressurizing race leader Aaro Vainio. The ART Grand Prix driver was frustratingly denied the luxury of overtaking the race leader, as the duo negotiated Turn 2 practically side-by-side. Further back the traditional GP3 mayhem ensued, as Lewis Williamson suffered a spectacular spin in a cloud of tyre smoke. Melville McKee endured a frustrating end to the race, as he dropped through the order whilst running wide with Jimmy Eriksson between Turns 4 and 5.
Despite the crazy end to the race, Aaro Vainio managed to keep his composure and secure a masterful victory after a mature drive from the Koiranen GP driver. The leading duo were separated by just +0.6 seconds across the line, with Daniil Kvyat just under five seconds behind for MW Arden. Robert Visoiu managed to finish 8th, therefore securing him the reverse grid pole for tomorrow’s second race. The Romanian driver will start alongside Kevin Korjus.
Results - 17 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Aaro Vainio Koiranen 29m17.213s
2. Conor Daly ART +0.691s
3. Daniil Kvyat MW Arden +4.853s
4. Jack Harvey ART +7.061s
5. Carlos Sainz Jr MW Arden +7.262s
6. Facu Regalia ART +7.507s
7. Kevin Korjus Koiranen +8.588s
8. Robert Visoiu MW Arden +9.307s
9. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer +10.295s
10. Giovanni Venturini Trident +11.550s
11. Alex Fontana Jenzer +12.736s
12. Tio Ellinas Manor +13.175s
13. Dino Zamparelli Manor +14.139s
14. Jimmy Eriksson Status +16.751s
15. Patrick Kujala Koiranen +18.645s
16. Nick Yelloly Carlin +18.793s
17. David Fumanelli Trident +19.245s
18. Melville McKee Bamboo +21.309s
19. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin +21.428s
20. Samin Gomez Jenzer +21.725s
21. Adderly Fong Status +22.012s
22. Josh Webster Status +22.372s
23. Carmen Jorda Bamboo +22.793s
24. Lewis Williamson Bamboo +23.417s
Retirements:
Driver Team Laps
Luis Sa Silva Carlin 12
Emanuele Zonzini Trident 12
Josh Webster Status 6
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
Kevin Korjus Takes Impressive GP3 Pole At Silverstone
Kevin Korjus has taken an impressive pole position for rookie outfit Koiranen GP, only just ahead of the local hero of Jack Harvey. The leading duo were followed home by the ART Grand Prix driver of Facu Regalia in 3rd, after a thrilling and frenetic qualifying session around the legendary Silverstone circuit.
After the miserably wet weather conditions witnessed during the opening day of the British Grand Prix weekend, the GP3 fraternity were greeted with glorious sunshine and a dry track ahead of qualifying for the first race of the weekend. Estonian driver Kevin Korjus became the first driver to take to the Silverstone circuit as the session got underway, leading out a long queue of awaiting drivers all eager to begin circulating the 5.891km circuit. The 20-year-old eventually produced the first timed lap of the day with a 02:03.140, which was immediately bettered by Swedish driver Jimmy Eriksson.
As the qualifying session gradually progressed, the times at the top continued to improve as the likes of Aaro Vainio, Carlos Sainz jr., and Robert Visoiu rose to the top with the latter producing a 01:47.976 for MW Arden. However, the Romanian’s reign at the top was quickly thwarted by team-mate Daniil Kvyat who stormed to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:47.366. Carlos Sainz jr. was on course to dispose of his Russian team-mate after lighting up the timing screens throughout the opening two sectors, however the Spaniard ran extensively wide at Turn 16 and therefore ruined his lap.
As Carlos Sainz jr. recovered after his minor excursion through the gravel trap at Turn 16, local driver Jack Harvey appeased his home fans by storming to the top with a 01:47.145. Once again the times at the top continued to plummet, with Kevin Korjus momentarily returning to the top before Championship leader Tio Ellinas asserted his authority over proceedings with a 01:46.693.
As the session drew to a thrilling conclusion, Carlos Sainz jr. and Jack Harvey returned to the top, before the Koiranen GP driver of Kevin Korjus finally cemented his first pole in the GP3 Series with a 01:46.360. The majority of the field were refused the luxury of bettering the Estonian’s benchmark, after the Carlin of Eric Lichtenstein spun at Turn 3 and brought out numerous yellow flags.
The leading duo in the Drivers’ Championship of Tio Ellinas and Conor Daly could only manage 6th and 9th respectively, in what will unquestionably be a thrilling 15-lap race later in the afternoon. Newcomers Koiranen GP have certainly made their mark in the Series despite their rookie status, with Kevin Korjus clearly set upon recording his debut victory in the Series during race one.
Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service
Aaro Vainio Secures Koiranen GP’s Maiden GP3 Victory At Spain
Aaro Vainio has stormed to Koiranen GP’s maiden GP3 race victory in only their second ever race in the series, after a memorable 50th race in the feeder category. The Finn was followed home by team-mate Kevin Korjus, with the Jenzer Motorsport of Patric Niederhauser a distant 3rd ahead of race one winner Tio Ellinas.
Despite starting on pole position, Kevin Korjus was instantly robbed of the lead at the start, as Aaro Vainio mastered his launch off of the line and scampered into the lead from 4th on the grid. David Fumanelli suffered a disastrous start from 2nd on the grid, and fell back through the order into Turn 1. As the field negotiated the opening lap, carnage ensued at Turns 7 and 8 as Emanuele Zonzini was forced to take avoiding action from Robert Visoiu and Melville McKee, who collided with the latter being forced into retirement.
The incident resulted in the first safety car of the season, as the marshals cleared Melville McKee’s stricken Bamboo Engineering machine. However, the safety car period lasted for only one lap, before Aaro Vainio was able to storm into the lead ahead of Kevin Korjus and Nick Yelloly. Robert Visoiu was issued with a drive-thru penalty for causing the incident between himself and Melville McKee, ruining any chances he had of mounting a resurgence through the order.
As the race progressed, Daniil Kvyat and Ryan Cullen collided through Turn 4, an incident which prematurely ended both of their races with Kvyat stuck in the retaining gravel trap and Cullen eventually limping back to the pits with damaged suspension. Further up the field the Koiranen GP duo of Aaro Vainio and Kevin Korjus were cruising at the front, whereas Nick Yelloly in 3rd was coming under serious pressure from David Fumanelli. Eventually, the two collided at Turns 14 and 15 as Fumanelli tapped the rear of Yelloly’s Carlin and forced the Briton into a spin.
This incident enabled Tio Ellinas and Patric Niederhauser to rise steadily through the order to 3rd and 4th respectively, after starting the race from 8th and 7th due to the reversal of yesterday’s top eight from the results of the opening race. Emanuele Zonzini became the next to retire from the race on Lap 12, as Patric Niederhauser and Tio Ellinas reconvened their battle from yesterday’s race. Eventually the Swiss driver perfected an excellent overtaking maneuver at Turn 4 to rise to 3rd behind the Koiranen GP duo.
Despite several drivers suffering once again from tyre wear during the closing stages of the race, Aaro Vainio and Kevin Korjus remained dominant at the front of the pack. The Finnish sensation eventually crossed the line to secure only his 2nd GP3 race victory, and Koiranen GP’s maiden win after only their second race in the category. The GP3 Series will reconvene in one month, for the category’s first ever standalone event around Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
Results - 17 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Aaro Vainio Koiranen 28m44.420s
2. Kevin Korjus Koiranen + 1.808s
3. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 6.948s
4. Tio Ellinas Manor + 14.048s
5. David Fumanelli Trident + 15.234s
6. Conor Daly ART + 15.469s
7. Carlos Sainz Jr MW Arden + 16.085s
8. Jack Harvey ART + 17.853s
9. Lewis Williamson Bamboo + 20.916s
10. Giovanni Venturini Trident + 21.704s
11. Alex Fontana Jenzer + 22.088s
12. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin + 22.355s
13. Adderly Fong Status + 22.924s
14. Luis Sa Silva Carlin + 25.239s
15. Samin Gomez Jenzer + 25.419s
16. Facu Regalia ART + 25.968s
17. Dino Zamparelli Manor + 26.851s
18. Patrick Kujala Koiranen + 38.111s
19. Robert Visoiu MW Arden + 40.758s
20. Carmen Jorda Bamboo + 45.568s
Retirements:
Josh Webster Status 14 laps
Emanuele Zonzini Trident 12 laps
Nick Yelloly Carlin 12 laps
Jimmy Eriksson Status 10 laps
Ryan Cullen Manor 6 laps
Daniil Kvyat MW Arden 5 laps
Melville McKee Bamboo 0 laps
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
Kevin Korjus Storms To GP3 Pole But Incurs Penalty
GP3 debutant Kevin Korjus has stormed to his and Koiranen GP’s maiden GP3 pole after a thrilling qualifying session around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, but will incur a ten-place grid penalty after allegedly ignoring yellow flags during Friday practice. This will therefore see Tio Ellinas start from pole alongside Patric Niederhauser.
The first ever qualifying session for GP3’s new GP3/13 machine got underway in dry conditions around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with Russian debutant Daniil Kvyat leading out a long queue of awaiting drivers once the session began. His team-mate Robert Visoiu set the early benchmark for MW Arden with a 01:38.191, which was quickly smashed by the third MW Arden of local driver Carlos Sainz jr. However, MW Arden’s reign was short-lived, as Koiranen GP’s Kevin Korjus stormed to the top with a 01:35.920.
As the 30-minute session progressed, the times at the top continued to tumble as the likes of Tio Ellinas, David Fumanelli and Patric Niederhauser all rose to the top with the latter setting a 01:34.809 for Jenzer Motorsport. Singapore-born British driver Melville McKee endured a tough first qualifying session for Bamboo Engineering, as the 18-year-old spun at Turn 9 on his way to 22nd on the grid. After returning to the pits for a fresh set of tyres, Carlos Sainz jr. returned to the top with a 01:34.733, before Kevin Korjus continued to improve with a 01:34.619.
Throughout the final minutes of the session, the quest for pole intensified as Tio Ellinas stormed to the top with a 01:34.233 before team-mate Ryan Cullen spun his Marussia Manor Racing machine at Turn 12. This caused a momentary yellow flag period as his car was retrieved, before Kevin Korjus blitzed the opposition with a 01:34.193. However, after ignoring yellow flags during practice earlier in the weekend, the Estonian driver will incur a ten-place grid penalty allowing Tio Ellinas to start on pole alongside Patric Niederhauser.
The opening race of the 2013 GP3 season will get underway later in the day, in what will surely be a thrilling 16-lap event. Both Tio Ellinas and Patric Niederhauser are in their second seasons in the Series, and will unquestionably have victory in their sights once the lights go out later this afternoon.
Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service
Lewis Williamson Fastest On Third And Final Day Of GP3 Estoril Test
Lewis Williamson has ended the third and final day of the GP3 Estoril test fastest overall for new team Bamboo Engineering, in a day which once again featured heavy rain. Kevin Korjus ended the morning period fastest for rookie outfit Koiranen GP, with the 27 drivers battling hard against the treacherous elements.
Just like the previous day, the third day dawned with heavy rain lashing down upon the Estoril circuit, providing the drivers with incredibly tricky track conditions early on. Only two driver changes occurred over night, with Nick Cassidy replacing Tio Ellinas at Marussia Manor Racing and Lewis Williamson returning to Bamboo Engineering in place of Ryan Cullen. Despite the inclement weather conditions, many drivers were eager to begin testing once the track turned green.
However, there was a controversial and early red flag delay when a stray dog was found wandering around the circuit. Naturally proceedings were halted until the dog was removed, and when the session restarted Kevin Korjus set the early pace for Koiranen GP. Due to the tricky track conditions many drivers made minor errors throughout the morning period, with the likes of Jack Harvey and Patrick Kujala spinning and therefore causing further red flag delays.
Kevin Korjus was fastest during the wet morning period for Koiranen GP.
Kevin Korjus remained at the top of the timing sheets as the morning progressed, as the unrelenting rain continued to dampen proceedings. Patric Niederhauser became the next driver to fall foul of the tricky conditions, as the Swiss driver spun into the gravel and brought out another red flag delay. Alex Fontana did likewise once the session was resumed, therefore enabling Kevin Korjus’s time at the top to remain unchallenged, as the Estonian driver was followed by Carlos Sainz jr. and Jack Harvey.
Despite the terrible weather conditions of the morning period, sunshine greeted the 27 drivers once the afternoon session began. Nick Cassidy and Nick Yelloly set the initial benchmark, with the weather conditions still not perfect with strong winds gusting through the circuit. As the track continued to dry out, the drivers elected for the dry tyres and therefore began to set much more competitive lap times.
Kevin Korjus and Carlos Sainz jr. rose to the top as the afternoon session continued, whereas rookie Jimmy Eriksson spun as the rain began to fall once again. Many teams decided to run race simulations in the afternoon period, however Jack Harvey soon rose to the top for ART Grand Prix with only one hour remaining. Alex Fontana caused yet another red flag delay as his Jenzer Motorsport machine was struck with technical issues, whereas Lewis Williamson set the pace with a 01:27.675 to end the first GP3 pre-season test fastest for Bamboo Engineering.
The GP3 fraternity will reconvene next month for the second pre-season test around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, as preparations for the new season continue to gather momentum. During the opening test the new GP3/13 car completed a combined total of 3809 laps, with much positivity from the entire GP3 grid.
Today’s times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Lewis Williamson Bamboo 1m27.675s 44 2. Daniil Kvyat MW Arden 1m27.763s 46 3. Robert Visoiu MW Arden 1m27.848s 66 4. Jack Harvey ART 1m28.080s 60 5. Dino Zamparelli Manor 1m28.139s 63 6. David Fumanelli Trident 1m28.159s 52 7. Alex Fontana Jenzer 1m28.179s 54 8. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m28.212s 51 9. Facu Regalia ART 1m28.322s 60 10. Kevin Korjus Koiranen 1m28.372s 53 11. Giovanni Venturini Trident 1m28.385s 59 12. Emanuele Zonzini Trident 1m28.459s 57 13. Carlos Sainz Jr MW Arden 1m28.485s 52 14. Nick Cassidy Manor 1m28.522s 74 15. Conor Daly ART 1m28.923s 63 16. Aaro Vainio Koiranen 1m29.044s 74 17. Ethan Ringel Bamboo 1m29.076s 42 18. Nick Yelloly Carlin 1m29.104s 56 19. Patrick Kujala Koiranen 1m29.335s 41 20. Luis Sa Silva Carlin 1m29.341s 75 21. Vicky Piria Manor 1m29.461s 54 22. Josh Webster Status 1m29.648s 52 23. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin 1m29.823s 69 24. Samin Gomez Jenzer 1m30.177s 77 25. Roberto La Rocca Bamboo 1m30.399s 29 26. Melville McKee Status 1m31.780s 37 27. Jimmy Eriksson Status 1m32.761s 38
Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
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