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| August 26, 2011 |
| GP3: Bottas Tops the Timesheet in Spa |
 | Valtteri Bottas commenced the Spa doubleheader with the fastest time in the lone practice run
(Photo: GP3 Series Media Services) |
Lotus ART driver Valtteri Bottas shot a warning to his GP3 Series rivals during Friday’s (August 26) 45-minute long free practice, proving he will be one to watch at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. The Finn set the pace in the morning run, claiming the top spot with a time of 2:14.546, just 0.280 seconds ahead of MW Arden’s Mitch Evans.
The penultimate round of 2011 GP3 Series kicked off under clear blue skies, with newcomer Richie Stanaway setting the first quick lap time for his new team Lotus ART. RSC Mücke Motorsport’s Nigel Melker briefly took the top spot, but as the drivers got to grips with the 7.004-km track it wasn’t long before Bottas showed who’s boss – the Lotus ART driver set his quickest time of the session after 15 minutes, moving 0.946 seconds ahead of Melker.
For the remainder of the session it was clear the rest of the 30 strong field would be fighting for second spot, and Bottas’ teammate James Calado took the honours mid-session, until Marussia Manor Racing’s Adrian Quaife-Hobbs split the Lotus ART duo.
With just 15 minutes left in the session Evans moved up second spot 0.694 behind Bottas, and briefly swapped positions with Calado, before the New Zealander completed a 2:14.826 lap, just 0.280 behind Bottas. And then the rain came squashing any hopes for the remainder of the field to catch the leading drivers. The session ended with Bottas on top ahead of Evans, Calado, Quaife-Hobbs, Antonio Felix Da Costa, Melker, Alexander Sims, Simon Trummer, Michael Christensen and Ivan Lukashevich who made it all three Status GP cars in the top-10. North Americans Conor Daly (Carlin) and Gabby Chaves (Team Addax) never got in a true flyer, ending the session in 20th and 25th respectively.
Next up for GP3 Series racers is qualifying for race one at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday morning (August 27).
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 13 practice results available HERE |
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