Alice Powell to complete GP3 return with Bamboo Engineering
Alice Powell will complete a return to the GP3 Series with Bamboo Engineering for this weekend’s season finale around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. The 20-year-old competed in the category last season for Status Grand Prix, and has competed in the F3 Cup this season.
This weekend will see the inaugural GP3 Series event around the Yas Marina Circuit, which will play host to the season finale as the likes of Facu Regalia and Daniil Kvyat battle at the sharp-end of the Championship standings. Whilst that battle rages on, Alice Powell has been confirmed at Bamboo Engineering, as a replacement for Britain’s Melville McKee who won at Germany earlier in the season. The Briton will join fellow female driver Carmen Jorda in the the outfit this weekend, with the third seat within the team still unconfirmed. Alice Powell is understandably eager to make her return to the Series, and make her first appearance in the new GP3/13 machine.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in Abu Dhabi and to step into a GP3 car again.” Explained Alice Powell, “Obviously the car is very different from what I drove last year and to anything I’ve raced before, so it will take time to get used to the car and tyres. But I can’t wait to get on track and I will give it my best shot.”
Despite making their debut in the GP3 Series this season after purchasing the Atech CRS outfit soon after last year’s season had drawn to a conclusion, the Silverstone-based outfit will this weekend be competing in their final GP3 race weekend after being bought by current GP2 debutants Russian Time. For Alice Powell and her team-mates’, this weekend will all be about striving to impress with an ambition of securing a full-time drive for the 2014 GP3 season.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
2012 GP3 Series Season Review: Part 2
After the first two rounds of the 2012 GP3 Series season, it was almost a month until the teams and drivers reconvened for the third round of the Championship at the Valencia Street Circuit in support of the European Grand Prix. Aaro Vainio was in the lead of the Championship with 54 points, with Mitch Evans a close 2nd with 43 points.
As ever the weekend began with a practice session on the Friday, which Championship leader Aaro Vainio topped with a 02:00.094 for Lotus. The Finn was followed by team-mate Conor Daly, with the Marussia Manor Racing of Tio Ellinas a close 3rd. However, Mitch Evans was able to storm to a superlative pole the following morning, as the Kiwi asserted his authority over the proceedings. He was joined on the front-row of the grid by team-mate David Fumanelli, with the second row consisting of Championship contender Aaro Vainio and Ocean Racing Technology driver Kevin Ceccon.
Mitch Evans stormed to a dominant victory during race one at Valencia.
The opening race of the weekend later in the afternoon saw Mitch Evans carry out a extremely mature and dominant drive at the front, as the Kiwi stormed to a lights-to-flag victory from the Lotus of Aaro Vainio and the MW Arden of David Fumanelli. As usual there was utter confusion further back during the opening laps, as Marlon Stockinger lost his rear-wing whilst Robert Visoiu, Fabiano Machado and Antonio Spavone were forced into retirement.
Despite loosing his rear-wing on the opening lap, Marlon Stockinger was able to return to the pits to allow his mechanics to fit a rear-wing to his car. This saw the Pilipino driver drop a lap behind the leaders, however he was able to continue racing albeit at the back of the pack. Lap 2 saw another big incident between the Carlin of Antonio Felix da Costa and the Marussia Manor Racing of Dmitry Suranovich, as the former slammed into the side of the Russian driver. This incident ended both of their races, but amazingly did not force the safety car to be deployed.
This victory for Mitch Evans saw the Kiwi retake the lead in the Drivers’ Championship, with only a two point advantage over Aaro Vainio who remained a close 2nd for Lotus. Marlon Stockinger remained in a distant 3rd position in the Championship, with fellow MW Arden driver David Fumanelli 4th with 35 points scored.
An ecstatic Patric Niederhauser celebrates after taking his maiden GP3 victory at Valencia!
After finishing the opening race of the weekend in 8th, Patric Niederhauser would start the second race from the reverse grid pole alongside the Ocean Racing Technology of Kevin Ceccon. The Swiss driver capitalized greatly on his starting position, and took his maiden GP3 victory during the 14-lap race the following morning.
The 21-year-old was followed home by the Lotus of Daniel Abt, who initially started the race from 3rd. Matias Laine eventually finished the race in 3rd, after starting from 4th on the grid. Tio Ellinas initially finished 3rd, however the Cypriot was issued with a penalty after forcing Kevin Ceccon off the track throughout the closing stages of the race.
Just like race one, several collisions ensued further back throughout the opening lap of the race. This included an incident between the Lotus of Conor Daly and the Atech CRS GP of John Wartique, as both were forced into retirement. Alice Powell also retired on the opening lap, as she endured yet another tough weekend in the series.
Ethan Ringel retired several laps into the race, after a collision with fellow series rookie Fabiano Machado, who was issued with a penalty for causing the incident. Carmen Jorda also retired in the latter stages of the race, leaving Trident’s Vicky Piria as the only female driver to finish the race.
Although Mitch Evans could only managed 6th position after starting the race from 8th, the Kiwi still retained the lead in the Drivers’ Championship from Aaro Vainio as the GP3 fraternity prepared for the fourth round of the season at the legendary Silverstone circuit in support of the British Grand Prix.
Facu Regalia was one of two new drivers competing in the GP3 Series at Silverstone.
Ahead of the British Grand Prix weekend, there were several driver changes throughout the paddock as Fabio Gamberini replaced John Wartique at Atech CRS Grand Prix and Facu Regalia replaced Jakub Klasterka at Jenzer Motorsport. The British Grand Prix weekend was one plagued with extremely inclement weather conditions, as heavy rain struck the circuit on numerous occasions throughout the weekend.
Antonio Felix da Costa was fastest during a wet practice on the Friday, as the GP3 teams and drivers carried out their preparations for the weekend ahead. Hungarian driver Tamas Pal Kiss was 2nd, with Championship leader Mitch Evans 3rd. However, once the practice session had come to a conclusion, both Tamas Pal Kiss and Ethan Ringel were struck with grid penalties for race one after various yellow flag infringements.
Despite the wet practice session on the Friday, the GP3 fraternity was met with surprisingly dry but overcast weather conditions for the all-important qualifying session early Saturday morning. However, the track was not 100% dry, with several notoriously damp patches remaining on the track, which caught out several drivers throughout the session. Mitch Evans stormed to his second pole of the season for race one, and would start the race alongside fellow Championship contender Aaro Vainio.
Antonio Felix da Costa celebrates victory at Silverstone with Mitch Evans.
The opening race of the weekend was also run in dry conditions, despite the treacherous weather conditions witnessed the previous day. Despite qualifying on pole, Mitch Evans was unable to translate his superlative qualifying performance into a race victory, as the Carlin of Antonio Felix da Costa stormed to a commanding victory ahead of the Kiwi. Aaro Vainio was able to finish a distant 3rd, however the Finn still remained behind Evans in the Drivers’ Championship.
In stark contrast to the usual incident-filled races witnessed throughout the opening three rounds of the year, the first race of the British Grand Prix weekend featured only two retirements as William Buller retired on the opening lap after a collision. Ethan Ringel followed the Briton into retirement several laps later, with the American’s car almost catching fire in the process. After retiring on the opening lap of race one, local driver William Buller would therefore start the second race on Sunday morning from last on the grid.
William Buller pulled off an unforgettable drive to win after starting last at Silverstone!
However, this minor fact did not deter William Buller from storming to an absolutely unforgettable victory during the second race, despite starting from plum last during a wet/dry 14-lap race. Only moments before the start of the race, rain began to fall upon the Silverstone circuit, presenting the drivers with a conundrum as to which tyre they should start the race on. Several drivers opted for the safer option of starting on the wet tyres, whereas others decided to stick with the slick tyres.
As the lights went out it quickly became clear that the drivers who started the race on the wet tyres were visibly faster, as Tio Ellinas and Antonio Felix da Costa rose to 1st and 2nd position in the opening laps. However, as the race wore on, the rain began to subside thus allowing the drivers on the dry tyres to rise back through the order. As the race entered the halfway mark, Patric Niederhauser began to challenge Tio Ellinas for the lead after overtaking Antonio Felix da Costa for 2nd. William Buller was already in 6th position, and was clearly the fastest driver on the track.
By Lap 10, William Buller had scythed through the order like a hot knife through butter into lead ahead of Patric Niederhauser and Robert Visoiu. Whilst one local driver wowed the Silverstone faithful at the front of the pack, another in Alice Powell endured yet another frustrating race as she beached her Status Grand Prix machine into the gravel and into retirement.
In the closing stages of the race, Aaro Vainio, Marlon Stockinger and Daniel Abt joined Alice Powell in retirement. Daniel Abt spun out of the race, whereas his team-mate Aaro Vainio collided with fellow countryman Matias Laine. Although Laine was able to make it to the end of the race, albeit a lap down, Aaro Vainio was forced into a disastrous retirement.
Whilst the race drew to an incident-filled conclusion, William Buller stormed across the line to take an absolutely mesmerizing victory after starting last. The Briton was followed home by the Lotus of Conor Daly, with Patric Niederhauser a very competitive 3rd. After an entertaining race weekend, Mitch Evans retained his lead in the Drivers’ Championship with 100 points scored, ahead of Aaro Vainio (89 points) and Antonio Felix da Costa (58 points).
Part 3 to follow…
Picture(s) Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/Andrew Ferraro/GP3 Series Media Service
2012 GP3 Series Season Review: Part 1
After the first two season’s of GP3 racing, the Series had already become renowned for its unpredictability, excitement and pure entertainment. The 2012 season was expected to be yet another thrilling edition of GP3 action, as the stars of tomorrow began their journey up the motor sport ladder.
As pre-season testing got underway in preparation for the new season, the Championship contenders’ were already rising to the top. With the likes of Mitch Evans, Antonio Felix da Costa and Aaro Vainio visibly quick in testing, it was obvious the 2012 Championship was set to be a hard fought battle at the top. With the Series welcoming three female drivers for the first time in its history [Vicky Piria, Carmen Jorda and Alice Powell], the new season had all the ingredients to be highly competitive throughout the field.
Nico Muller was fastest once pre-season testing began, but instead raced in the World Series by Renault throughout 2012.
Pre-season testing got underway back in February at the Autodromo do Estoril in Portugal, as Ocean Racing Technology announced plans to enter the Series after successfully competing in the GP2 Series since its inception in 2005. Nico Muller topped the timing sheets after the opening day, however the Swiss driver incidentally failed to find a full-time drive in the Series. The 20-year-old instead drove for International Draco Racing in the World Series by Renault, regardless of the fact Muller enjoyed two highly competitive seasons in GP3 beforehand. Aaro Vainio was fastest on day two, as the paddock moved on to Barcelona for the second pre-season test.
Championship favorites Mitch Evans and Antonio Felix da Costa topped the timing sheets respectively during testing around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. Pre-season testing was brought to a conclusion the following month, after a further two-day test at Silverstone. Female driver Alice Powell made her debut racing GP3 machinery at the test, which Mitch Evans once again ended fastest as the paddock prepared for the season opener at Spain.
In traditional GP3 fashion, the opening round of the new season was a support race for the first round of the Formula 1 European season at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. Matias Laine was fastest in practice for MW Arden, however it was the Carlin of Antonio Felix da Costa who took the first pole of the season. The opening feature race of the season began with fireworks on track, as Daniel Abt, Antonio Felix da Costa and Antonio Spavone jumped the start whereas rookies Alice Powell and Ethan Ringel collided at the back of the pack. The safety car was eventually brought out after Kevin Ceccon spun for Ocean Racing Technology, as Abt, da Costa and Spavone served their penalties.
This left Mitch Evans to take the lead, and eventually the first race win of the season. The Status Grand Prix of Marlon Stockinger finished the race 2nd, with Aaro Vainio 3rd for Lotus. This victory enabled Mitch Evans to take the lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
The following morning’s sprint race saw Series rookie Robert Visoiu start from the reverse grid pole, after finishing the feature race in 8th. Tio Ellinas jumped the start for Marussia Manor Racing, as carnage ensued further back through turn 4 as Tamas Pal Kiss and William Buller made contact, collecting the unsuspecting Dmitry Suranovich, Antonio Spavone and Robert Cregan. Amazingly, the safety car was not called upon, and the race continued under green flag conditions.
Conor Daly took his first ever GP3 victory during the sprint race at Spain.
Feature race winner, Mitch Evans, suffered a highly uncompetitive sprint race for MW Arden. After starting the race from 8th, the Kiwi picked up a puncture in the early stages of the race and subsequently finished a lowly 20th. Once Tio Ellinas served his drive-thru penalty for jumping the start, Series rookie Conor Daly took his maiden victory for Lotus, just over three seconds ahead of fellow Series rookie Robert Visoiu. The MW Arden of Matias Laine finished 3rd, whilst Alice Powell was able to finish 11th in only her second race in the Series after starting 26th and last.
The second round of the Championship took place around the Streets of Monte-Carlo for the first time in the history of the Series, in support of the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. Mitch Evans was fastest in practice, which ran relatively incident free apart from a spin by William Buller towards the end of the session. Just like GP2, the qualifying format for the Monaco event was split into a slightly complicated two group format, which consisted of a Group A [consisting of even numbered cars], and a Group B [consisting of the odd numbered cars].
The fastest overall driver from the two groups would start the feature race on pole, with the fastest driver from the other group starting from 2nd on the grid. The remaining drivers would start behind the fastest driver from their respective group. The Lotus of Aaro Vainio secured pole position, after setting the overall fastest time in Group B, whereas Kevin Ceccon qualified 2nd after setting the fastest time in Group A.
Aaro Vainio took his first victory of the season around the streets of Monte-Carlo.
At the start of the feature race, previous race winner Conor Daly began proceedings in an embarrassing style as he jumped the start only moments before then stalling his car. This dropped him through the order, however he was eventually able to continue racing as team-mate Aaro Vainio led at the front. Ethan Ringel tapped the barrier on the eighth lap, and became one of the first retirements of the race. Patric Niederhauser also retired several laps later due to suspension issues, however the race remained under green flag conditions with the Monaco marshals once again excelling at clearing the stricken vehicles.
After the earlier incidents, Aaro Vainio stormed to his first career GP3 victory, just under two seconds ahead of the Atech CRS Grand Prix car of Tamas Pal Kiss. Kevin Ceccon was able to finish a distant 3rd, after initially starting the race from the front row of the grid. Marlon Stockinger finished the race in 8th, which in turn would see him start the sprint race the following day from the reverse grid pole alongside the Carlin of Antonio Felix da Costa.
The sprint race turned out to be a shortened affair, with various incidents plaguing the running of what turned out to be only a 13 lap race.The race started with a huge incident between the Carlin team-mates of William Buller and Alex Brundle, with the former being tipped upside down and into the armco-barriers. This naturally saw the safety car deployed, as the ever-efficient Monaco marshals began to clear Buller’s machine. Luckily Buller was uninjured in the incident, which also saw Alex Brundle subsequently retire.
Marlon Stockinger took his maiden victory in the shortened sprint race at Monaco.
Once the safety car had returned to the pits, Marlon Stockinger led away at the front as Conor Daly became locked in a grueling fight for 11th position with the Marussia Manor Racing of Dmitry Suranovich. This led to light contact between the two, which saw Suranovich loose his rear-wing. However, the Russian driver continued to circulate out on track, despite his lack of rear-wing with Conor Daly still swarming around the rear of his car.
As the race progressed, disaster struck as Conor Daly tried desperately to overtake Dmitry Suranovich on the exit of the tunnel. This saw Daly fly over the back of Suranovich’s car, and slam into the retaining catch-fencing which lined the circuit. Daly was miraculously uninjured in this utterly terrifying incident, which initially brought out the safety car before eventually prematurely ending the race with a red flag.
This saw Marlon Stockinger take his first ever victory in GP3, ahead of the sole remaining Carlin of Antonio Felix da Costa with Daniel Abt in 3rd. As the GP3 Series prepared to head to the Valencia Street Circuit for the third round of the Championship, Aaro Vainio held an 11 point advantage over Mitch Evans at the front of the Drivers’ Championship, with Marlon Stockinger 3rd.
Picture(s) Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/Glenn Dunbar/GP3 Series Media Service
Lewis Williamson To Make GP3 Return
Former GP3 race winner Lewis Williamson has been signed by Status Grand Prix ahead of this weekends German Grand Prix, a move which will see the Scot partner fellow countryman Alice Powell and Filipino-Swiss driver Marlon Stockinger. Lewis Williamson raced for MW Arden last season, a team which are currently excelling at the top.
The Briton was awarded the BRDC Rising Star award in 2009, as well as the McLaren Autosport Award in 2010 which rewarded the 22-year-old with a test drive for the Woking-based outfit. It has been confirmed that former Status Grand Prix driver Kotaro Sakurai is experiencing financial setbacks, hence the appointment of Lewis Williamson within the team.
“Lewis is the ideal replacement to step into our driver line-up this weekend.” Explained Paul Bellringer, Status Grand Prix’s team manager. “He already knows the GP3 car from last season, and is very talented. Status GP has long admired his ability and we’re looking forward to working with him in Germany.”
“I’ve known some of the guys at Status GP for a couple of years, and this is a great opportunity.” Added Lewis Williamson, “I know I’ve got to put everything I’ve got into it at Hockenheim this weekend and make sure we do everything right. We just need to progress through free practice, qualifying and then the two races and see what comes of it. It’s nice to race with Marlon [Stockinger] and Alice [Powell]. I know both of them from our days in Formula Renault UK, so I’m sure we will get along well and work strongly together.”
Status Grand Prix won the last time GP3 visited the Hockenheimring, when Robert Wickens stormed to victory in the feature race. Naturally Lewis Williamson will be eager to emulate that result, and will be itching to get behind the wheel of a GP3 car once again when free practice gets underway Friday evening.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
Conor Daly Takes Maiden GP3 Victory In Spain
American driver Conor Daly has taken his maiden race victory in GP3, after a splendid drive during the sprint race at the Circuit de Catalunya. Pole man from the reverse grid Robert Visoiu came home in 2nd place, with Finnish driver Matias Laine 3rd just over four seconds from the eventual winner.
After a night of heavy rain, the tracks grip levels were exceedingly diminished in comparison to yesterdays feature race. With only minutes until the start of the race, Lotus GP were taking no chances with the threatening weather and began preparing wet tyres for any rain that might interfere with the race.
At the start, Series rookie Tio Ellinas got a stunning getaway, and sprinted off into the lead. However, question marks quickly arose over whether the Cypriot jumped the start, and sure enough several laps later he was penalized with a drive through penalty.
Further down the order, carnage ensued as Tamas Pal Kiss made slight contact with William Buller. This forced the Hungarian driver off the track and onto the still damp grass, resulting in Pal Kiss collecting several other cars as he slid across the track at turn 4. These unfortunate drivers’ were Dmitry Suranovich, Antonio Spavone and Robert Cregan, all of which were forced to retire from the race.
After a magnificent race yesterday, feature race winner Mitch Evans suffered a frustrating start to the sprint race, as the Kiwi picked up a left rear puncture which forced an unscheduled pit-stop. However, upon returning to the track the MW Arden driver proceeded to make up lost ground. He eventually finished the race a distant 20th, just under a minute from winner Daly.
It wasn’t until lap 5 that race leader Ellinas eventually took his drive-through penalty, and when he did so Conor Daly assumed the lead for Lotus. Upon taking the lead, Conor Daly never looked back as he stormed away at the front, leaving pole man Visoiu in 2nd place.
As if MW Arden’s race hadn’t already been hampered by the puncture on Evans’ car, his team-mate David Fumanelli was issued a drive-through penalty for setting a fast sector time during yellow flag conditions, a penalty which demoted the Italian down to 17th. Rookie Fabiano Machado also suffered an unsatisfactory end to his race, after spinning all by himself as Japanese driver Kotaro Sakurai passed the Brazilian.
Alice Powell had a fantastic race in comparison to yesterday, when she was taken out after only two corners on her GP3 debut. After starting from 25th on the grid, the former Formula Renault BARC Champion stormed through the field to finish 11th in only her second ever race for the team.
As the checkered flag emerged, it was Conor Daly who stormed across the line with his fist the air, taking his maiden GP3 victory as he enters his second season in the Series.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Mitch Evans Takes Victory In Opening GP3 Feature Race
Kiwi Mitch Evans took victory in the opening feature race of the 2012 GP3 Series earlier today, after a highly exciting start to the new season. Marlon Stockinger followed Evans home in 2nd, with Aaro Vainio in 3rd. This was Evans’ second ever victory in the Series, and MW Arden’s third.
The race was run in glorious sunshine and balmy conditions, and as the lights went out the Lotus GP of Daniel Abt shot off the line and stormed into the lead heading down into turn 1. Further behind there was carnage as rookies’ Alice Powell and Ethan Ringel came together and subsequently retired from the race after only two corners.
With some still marveling over the superlative getaway from Daniel Abt, the secret to his success was quickly unveiled when he was penalized for jumping the start along with Antonio Felix da Costa and Antonio Spavone. As Abt and Spavone pitted for their penalties, da Costa elected to stay out for a further lap, with Abt and da Costa eventually finishing 13th and 14th respectively.
This sudden change of order saw Mitch Evans rise to the top, with Czech driver Marlon Stockinger close behind in 2nd. The safety car was then deployed, bunching the pack up as Kevin Ceccon’s dismal weekend continued as the Ocean Racing Technology car stopped in a dangerous position on the apex of turn 9.
On the restart, Mitch Evans succeeded in carrying out an extremely mature getaway. The Kiwi then began to slowly open up a gap to the Status Grand Prix car of Stockinger, whereas further back Vainio and Niederhauser were locked in a battle for the final podium position. However, the Finnish driver was able to fend off Niederhauser, and successfully finish 3rd behind Stockinger and Mitch Evans. The MW Arden driver now heads into tomorrow’s sprint race as the Championship leader, after being regarded as the Championship favorite throughout the pre-season.
With GP3 also reversing the top eight just like it’s sister Series GP2, rookie Robert Visoiu will start on pole for tomorrow morning’s sprint race alongside fellow rookie Tio Ellinas.
Results - 16 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Mitch Evans MW Arden 28m38.738s
2. Marlon Stockinger Status + 2.609s
3. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 4.594s
4. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 5.071s
5. Matias Laine MW Arden + 6.284s
6. Conor Daly Lotus + 6.941s
7. Tio Ellinas Manor + 7.419s
8. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 10.102s
9. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 11.046s
10. Alex Brundle Carlin + 11.291s
11. Dmitry Suranovich Manor + 15.105s
12. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS + 15.752s
13. Daniel Abt Lotus + 16.231s
14. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 16.577s
15. Robert Cregan Ocean + 17.132s
16. Fabiano Machado Manor + 17.775s
17. Antonio Spavone Trident + 18.284s
18. Kotaro Sakurai Status + 19.087s
19. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer + 19.626s
20. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 22.224s
21. John Wartique Atech CRS + 23.070s
22. Vicky Piria Trident + 32.897s
23. William Buller Carlin + 46.346s
Retirements:
Kevin Ceccon Ocean 7 laps
Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 0 laps
Alice Powell Status 0 laps
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Matias Laine Fastest In GP3 Practice For Spanish GP
After a winter period of driver changes and grueling testing, the GP3 fraternity finally took to the track this morning, competing in the opening practice session of the weekend. The MW Arden of Matias Laine ended the session fastest overall, a tenth ahead of team-mate David Fumanelli.
With glorious sunshine overhead as the drivers completed their installation laps, it was the Carlin of Alex Brundle who set the initial pace with a time in the 01:40s. Series rookie Fabiano Machado suffered a worrying start to the session, as the Marussia Manor driver spun off at turn 14. This resulted in a light tap with barrier, however the Brazilian was luckily able to continue and complete 16 laps overall throughout the session.
As the 45 minute session wore on, Antonio Felix da Costa went fastest, before David Fumanelli became the first driver to break into the 01:38s shortly after. With only 20 minutes of the session remaining, Matias Laine shot to the top of the timing sheets, and subsequently remained there for the remainder of the practice session.
Only one driver failed to complete a timed lap throughout the session, this being rookie Tio Ellinas who was plagued with gearbox issues after only one lap around the Circuit de Catalunya. Alice Powell was the fastest driver of the female fraternity, ending the session 20th just above Vicky Piria and Carmen Jorda.
Tomorrow will see the GP3 drivers’ take to the track in a hectic day of racing, which will feature qualifying in the morning before the F1 track action, and will culminate with the main feature race after the F1 and GP2 track action later in the afternoon.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Matias Laine MW Arden 1m38.878s 2. David Fumanelli MW Arden 1m38.977s + 0.099s 3. Aaro Vainio Lotus 1m39.063s + 0.185s 4. Conor Daly Lotus 1m39.080s + 0.202s 5. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m39.154s + 0.276s 6. Mitch Evans MW Arden 1m39.208s + 0.330s 7. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin 1m39.514s + 0.636s 8. Alex Brundle Carlin 1m39.625s + 0.747s 9. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS 1m39.682s + 0.804s 10. Marlon Stockinger Status 1m39.776s + 0.898s 11. Robert Visoiu Jenzer 1m39.839s + 0.961s 12. William Buller Carlin 1m40.041s + 1.163s 13. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m40.168s + 1.290s 14. Kevin Ceccon Ocean 1m40.427s + 1.549s 15. Kotaro Sakurai Status 1m40.493s + 1.615s 16. Dmitry Suranovich Manor 1m40.532s + 1.654s 17. Antonio Spavone Trident 1m40.614s + 1.736s 18. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 1m40.913s + 2.035s 19. Fabiano Machado Manor 1m40.935s + 2.057s 20. Alice Powell Status 1m41.003s + 2.125s 21. John Wartique Atech CRS 1m41.179s + 2.301s 22. Vicky Piria Trident 1m41.532s + 2.654s 23. Carmen Jorda Ocean 1m41.554s + 2.676s 24. Robert Cregan Ocean 1m42.087s + 3.209s 25. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer 1m42.198s + 3.320s 26. Tio Ellinas Manor
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Mitch Evans Fastest In Rain Hit Silverstone GP3 Test
Only 29 days until the season opening GP3 race at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, and the final pre season test began at Silverstone today. There was only one new face amongst the drivers’, as Alice Powell made her GP3 testing debut with Status Grand Prix.
The day began under heavy clouds which were threatening to unleash rain along with cool temperatures. This forced many of the drivers’ to take to the track early on in the session, eager to get some dry running in before the rain eventually fell. The first driver to top the timing sheets was Kotaro Sakurai for Status Grand Prix, before Matias Laine and David Fumanelli shot to the top for MW Arden as the first hour ticked by.
The first red flag of the day was caused by rookie Alice Powell, who spun her Status Grand Prix car at turn 13. The British teenager raced for Manor Competition in the Formula Renault UK Series last year, finishing as high as 4th at Snetterton and will be hoping to secure a drive in GP3 for the coming season.
Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa then flew to the top, before Tamas Pal Kiss caused another red flag period after stopping on the circuit. As the session resumed, da Costa improved with yet another fastest lap with a 01:51.206, only one one-hundredth of a second ahead of Tio Ellinas in the Marussia.
As the morning session came to a close, the Kiwi of Mitch Evans went fastest with a scintillating 01:50.276, five tenths quicker than the fastest time set during last years GP3 test at Silverstone. This time left Evans six tenths ahead of da Costa, with Tio Ellinas and William Buller the only other two drivers’ within the 01:50s.
The Lotus of Conor Daly set the initial pace as the afternoon session got underway, before Mitch Evans continued his Silverstone dominance and resumed the top spot. The third red flag period was caused by Ethan Ringel, who crashed his Atech CRS Grand Prix car after just two laps of running. This prematurely ended the American’s session, and left the team with only Tamas Pal Kiss still running.
When the session was eventually resumed, Matias Laine flew to the top, ending the dominance of his team-mate Mitch Evans. As the afternoon session progressed, the threat of rain finally struck Silverstone, prematurely ending anyone’s chance of beating Laine’s fastest time.
However, with rain falling upon the circuit, several drivers’ braved the elements, gaining, for some, their first wet running this season. The session ended with yet another MW Arden driver atop the timing sheets, with Matias Laine finishing four tenths ahead of team-mate Evans with the third MW Arden driver of David Fumanelli coming home 13th.
Tomorrow sees the final GP3 pre season test session continue into its final day, before the teams pack up and prepare for the season opening race of the season in Spain. MW Arden certainly showed their strength throughout today’s running, with both Laine, Evans and Fumanelli showing decent pace in what is a highly competitive 26 car field.
Morning session: Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Mitch Evans MW Arden 1m50.276s 2. Antonio Felix Da Costa Carlin 1m50.854s + 0.578s 3. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m50.942s + 0.666s 4. William Buller Carlin 1m50.951s + 0.675s 5. Marlon Stockinger Status 1m51.097s + 0.821s 6. Alex Brundle Carlin 1m51.119s + 0.843s 7. Robert Visoiu Jenzer 1m51.554s + 1.278s 8. Aaro Vainio Lotus 1m51.656s + 1.380s 9. Matias Laine MW Arden 1m51.672s + 1.396s 10. Kevin Ceccon Ocean 1m51.970s + 1.694s 11. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m52.009s + 1.733s 12. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m52.030s + 1.754s 13. Conor Daly Lotus 1m52.099s + 1.823s 14. David Fumanelli MW Arden 1m52.102s + 1.826s 15. Kotaro Sakurai Status 1m52.979s + 2.703s 16. Fabiano Machado Manor 1m53.422s + 3.146s 17. Dmitry Suranovich Manor 1m53.478s + 3.202s 18. Antonio Spavone Trident 1m53.516s + 3.240s 19. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech 1m53.838s + 3.562s 20. Vicky Piria Trident 1m54.267s + 3.991s 21. Ethan Ringel Atech 1m54.386s + 4.110s 22. Alice Powell Status 1m54.498s + 4.222s 23. Robert Cregan Ocean 1m54.811s + 4.535s 24. John Wartique Atech 1m55.317s + 5.041s 25. Carmen Jorda Ocean 1m57.389s + 7.113s Afternoon session: Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Matias Laine MW Arden 1m50.292s 2. Mitch Evans MW Arden 1m50.647s + 0.355s 3. Conor Daly Lotus 1m50.985s + 0.693s 4. William Buller Carlin 1m51.445s + 1.153s 5. Aaro Vainio Lotus 1m51.509s + 1.217s 6. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m51.567s + 1.275s 7. Robert Visoiu Jenzer 1m51.650s + 1.358s 8. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m51.660s + 1.368s 9. Alex Brundle Carlin 1m51.675s + 1.383s 10. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m51.797s + 1.505s 11. Kevin Ceccon Ocean 1m51.893s + 1.601s 12. Antonio Felix Da Costa Carlin 1m51.906s + 1.614s 13. David Fumanelli MW Arden 1m51.918s + 1.626s 14. Marlon Stockinger Status 1m52.043s + 1.751s 15. Fabiano Machado Manor 1m52.187s + 1.895s 16. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech 1m52.343s + 2.051s 17. Antonio Spavone Trident 1m52.707s + 2.415s 18. Dmitry Suranovich Manor 1m52.864s + 2.572s 19. Robert Cregan Ocean 1m53.213s + 2.921s 20. Alice Powell Status 1m53.263s + 2.971s 21. Kotaro Sakurai Status 1m53.511s + 3.219s 22. Vicky Piria Trident 1m54.280s + 3.988s 23. John Wartique Atech 1m54.689s + 4.397s 24. Carmen Jorda Ocean 1m55.669s + 5.377s 25. Ethan Ringel Atech 2m05.819s + 15.527s
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
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