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| June 24, 2011 |
| GP3 Series: Dillmann Ends Valencia Practice P1 |
 | Tom Dillmann used the fastest time in the second practice run to end day one on the streets of Valencia as the driver to beat
(Photo: GP3 Series Media Services) |
French racer Tom Dillmann posted the quickest time in the second free practice on Friday afternoon (June 24), ending the opening day of GP3 Series action on the streets of Valencia, Spain.
The third round of GP3 Series kicked off on Friday afternoon with the first of two Friday practice sessions at Valencia Street Circuit, and British driver Alexander Sims set the pace claiming the top spot with a time of 1:59.708, just 0.090 seconds ahead of MW Arden’s Mitch Evans.
Under the hot Spanish sun, the 30 strong field went out on Pirelli P Zero soft compound tyres to get their first taste of the fast and challenging track. RSC Mücke Motorsport’s Michael Christensen was quickest straight out of the blocks, but the Dane soon found himself swapping fastest lap times with Marussia Manor Racing’s Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, Addax Team’s Dillmann and Lotus ART’s Valtteri Bottas. Dillmann’s teammate Dean Smith moved up into fifth spot mid-way through the session, but an off soon after prevented the Brit from improving.
With 10 minutes left in the session, MW Arden’s Lewis Williamson moved to the top of the timesheet, but it was a quick visit for the Scotsman, who was then bumped down into second by his teammate Evans, the Kiwi first to break the two minute barrier. But in the end, it was Sims who found the edge, planting his Status car in the number one spot, where it stayed for the remaining minutes. Evans had to settle for second ahead of GP3 returnee Dillmann, and his American teammate Gaby Chaves was an impressive fourth, Nigel Melker finished fifth for RSC Mücke Motorsport and Bottas sixth. Carlin teammates Conor Daly and Daniel Morad ended the first session P10 and P22.
Fresh off the back of their first pole position in the GP2 Series, Addax Team snatched the top spot with Dillmann in what was a closely fought second and final free practice session at the Valencia Street Circuit. The Frenchman’s time of 1:58.969 was just 0.060 seconds quicker than second place man James Calado for Lotus ART, with the top 21 drivers separated by less than a second.
The session got underway once again in hot conditions, as the drivers battled it out straight out the pits. MW Arden’s Simon Trummer, Lotus ART’s Bottas, Carlin’s Morad and RSC Mücke Motorsport’s Christensen all took turns at the top of the timesheet, but it was MW Arden’s Evans who set the early pace and kept hold of the top spot.
As the session entered its second half, Evans was holding firm at the top, and the rest of the field set about trying to beat the New Zealanders’ time. Aaro Vainio made an early charge moving up into second spot, but was soon bumped back down the timesheet by the Lotus ART duo of Bottas and Calado.
As the session drew to a close, Dillmann was up into third behind Evans and Bottas, but it was Calado who was the first to find enough time to snatch the top spot from the Kiwi driver, only to be promptly knocked off by teammate Bottas. The times were improving throughout the field, but it was Dillmann who took the honours. The Frenchman finished ahead of Calado, Bottas, Smith, Evans, Vainio, Ivan Lukashevich who finished in his best position so far this season for Status GP, Morad, Lewis Williamson and Nico Muller. Chaves 15th in the final practice run, while Daly was 22nd.
The GP3 Series cars back in action on Saturday morning, with qualifying for Round Five on the streets of Valencia, Spain.
The top-three, along with how the North American racers did, will be posted following every session on the EFCN Facebook page, EFCN Twitter page, and EFCN Insider Twitter page.
Full GP3 Series Round 5 practice results available HERE |
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