Tio Ellinas made the best of torrid conditions at Spa-Francorchamps to claim the top spot for GP3 Free Practice.
The Marussia Manor driver pipped Carlin rival Antonio Felix da Costa as the clock ticked to zero, with a best lap of 2:28.100 – just four-hundredths quicker than da Costa come the chequered flag.
Lotus pairing Daniel Abt and Conor Daly took 3rd and 4th respectively, coming to within three-tenths of Ellinas’ leading time.
Alex Brundle enjoyed a solid session with a run to 5th, while Aaro Vainio made it three Lotus’ in the top six. Next up were MW Arden duo Mitch Evans and Matias Laine, just ahead of Lewis Williamson* and Alex Fontana who headed the Status GP and Jenzer charge respectively.
The session proved to be incident packed, with many drivers suffering spins and trips through the gravel, including Jenzer Motorsport’s Patric Niederhauser, who aquaplaned at the top of the Kemmel Straight. Luckily, despite hopping the steep kerbs, the Swiss pilot escaped with no serious damage.
The same could not be said for Atech CRS racer John Wartique. The GP3 returnee lost control of his Renault-powered Dallara running through Eau Rouge, eventually slamming into the awaiting tyre barriers.
His car firmly stuck underneath the wall, the session was brought to a halt for seventeen minutes while his car was retrieved.
* {note 1}
In a piece of welcome news for the Scot, Lewis Williamson has been confirmed to run with Status GP for the remaining two rounds, replacing Japanese pilot Kotaro Sakurai.
Williamson ran in GP3 last year, taking one win and two podiums to finish 4th overall in the points. A difficult season in Formula Renault 3.5 would see Williamson dropped by the Red Bull junior programme; however it appears he has enough of a budget to finish the season in GP3 at least.
2012 GP3 Round of Spa-Francorchamps (Rd 7, Free Practice) Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Tio Ellinas Manor 2m28.100s 2. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin 2m28.143s + 0.043s 3. Daniel Abt Lotus 2m28.204s + 0.104s 4. Conor Daly Lotus 2m28.392s + 0.292s 5. Alex Brundle Carlin 2m29.063s + 0.963s 6. Aaro Vainio Lotus 2m29.498s + 1.398s 7. Mitch Evans MW Arden 2m29.555s + 1.455s 8. Matias Laine MW Arden 2m29.692s + 1.592s 9. Lewis Williamson Status 2m29.925s + 1.825s 10. Alex Fontana Jenzer 2m30.093s + 1.993s 11. David Fumanelli MW Arden 2m30.122s + 2.022s 12. Will Buller Carlin 2m30.133s + 2.033s 13. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS 2m30.296s + 2.196s 14. Marlon Stockinger Status 2m30.324s + 2.224s 15. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 2m30.556s + 2.456s 16. Kevin Ceccon Ocean 2m30.801s + 2.701s 17. Robert Visoiu Jenzer 2m30.998s + 2.898s 18. Giovanni Venturini Trident 2m31.157s + 3.057s 19. Robert Cregan Ocean 2m31.404s + 3.304s 20. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 2m31.455s + 3.355s 21. Fabiano Machado Manor 2m31.584s + 3.484s 22. Dmitry Suranovich Manor 2m31.832s + 3.732s 23. Vicky Piria Trident 2m34.041s + 5.941s 24. Carmen Jorda Ocean 2m35.412s + 7.312s 25. Alice Powell Status 2m35.772s + 7.672s 26. John Wartique Atech CRS 2m36.035s + 7.935s
