MW Arden’s Matias Laine and William Buller (Carlin) took charge during a two-day GP3 test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia last week, with the latter proving quickest of all.
For both days, the big pace came during the humid morning sessions, with Laine capitalising on Thursday.
The Finn registered a 1:26.610 to slot ahead of Daniel Abt (Lotus), while Nico Muller returned for Trident in the afternoon, taking the top spot albeit at a slightly slower pace.
Laine surged to the top early, although the 22-year-old settled into a fast-paced battle for the lead of the charts with Abt, Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor) and Marlon Stockinger (Status GP).
Carlin pairing Buller and Antonio Felix da Costa battled with Conor Daly (Lotus) to be fastest in the afternoon, only to be beaten thanks to a late surge by Muller. As the afternoon aged, the twenty-five runners settled into race programmes and extended stints.
One of a number of drivers to improve on Friday, Buller sliced three-tenths out of Laine’s time come the morning running, although as the temperatures increased throughout the day, the laptimes steadily slowed.
With high temperatures expected at this weekend’s European Grand Prix, the teams quickly settled back into race preparation mode, including pitstop practice.
Dmitry Suranovich ran both days for Marussia Manor – his Monaco antics apparently forgiven without any punishment.
Fabiano Machado brought out two red flags on Thursday – one for a mechanical issue, another for a spin. Laine and Aaro Vainio (Lotus GP) also stopped on circuit with car problems as the test’s opening session closed for lunch.
Offs from Vicky Piria (Trident) and Kevin Ceccon (Ocean Racing Technology) on Friday morning halted running temporarily.
Jenzer fielded Samin Gomez* on Thursday, with Irish combatant Gary Thompson** taking the third car on Friday.
During her two days, Gomez ran relatively respectable times, as she bedded herself into unfamiliar machinery, while Thompson – also new to the category – set an impressive pace out of the box, ending the afternoon session in 6th spot.
With Alex Brundle racing in the LMP2 category at Le Mans, Carlin decided to only run two cars.
* {note 1}
While Gomez’ efforts were indeed credible, her results in other junior categories have been somewhat less than stellar.
After a difficult opening season in Formula Abarth Europe in 2011, Gomez has seen improved form and currently sits 7th in that championship, following one podium and points finishes in all but two races***.
Her most successful season thus far came in 2010, when Gomez came 3rd in the Asian Formula Renault Challenge on the back of three podiums, two pole positions and two fastest laps.
** {note 2}
Thompson was drafted in by Jenzer, while regular peddler Robert Visoiu sat a school exam. The Dubliner is currently competing in his third season of Japanese Formula 3 National Class, following a year in Formula BMW (Europe and Pacific) in 2009.
The 20-year-old took the runner-up spot in Formula BMW Pacific thanks to one win and ten podiums; however his two-and-a-bit seasons in Japanese Formula 3 have rather less fruitful, with only one victory coming Thompson’s way.
*** {note 3}
It’s a bit of curious truth. In Formula Abarth Europe, the top ten collect points; however there are generally only eleven or twelve drivers in each race.
2012 GP3 test of Valencia (June 14th-15th) Thursday / Friday combined times: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Will Buller Carlin 1m26.389s 2. Nico Muller Trident 1m26.481s 3. Mitch Evans MW Arden 1m26.543s 4. Matias Laine MW Arden 1m26.610s 5. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m26.613s 6. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m26.629s 7. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin 1m26.641s 8. David Fumanelli MW Arden 1m26.686s 9. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m26.693s 10. Marlon Stockinger Status 1m26.725s 11. Aaro Vainio Lotus 1m26.810s 12. Conor Daly Lotus 1m26.836s 13. Kevin Ceccon Ocean 1m26.865s 14. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS 1m27.077s 15. Robert Visoiu Jenzer 1m27.323s 16. Dmitry Suranovich Manor 1m27.645s 17. Antonio Spavone Trident 1m27.651s 18. Vicky Piria Trident 1m27.993s 19. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 1m28.092s 20. Alice Powell Status 1m28.117s 21. Fabiano Machado Manor 1m28.142s 22. Gary Thompson Jenzer 1m28.275s 23. Samin Gomez Jenzer 1m28.343s 24. John Wartique Atech CRS 1m28.414s 25. Robert Cregan Ocean 1m28.762s 26. Carmen Jorda Ocean 1m29.328s
