Jenzer Motorsport’s Patric Niederhauser set the fastest lap in the opening GP3 Series practice session of the season at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya today.
The Swiss racer hit the circuit for late final run, setting a best lap of 1:35.044 with six minutes remaining.
Niederhauser’s teammate Alex Fontana also headed the times for a short period within the final ten minutes, only to be bumped by the swift Niederhauser.
As the chequered flag was about to emerge, David Fumanelli slipped ahead of Fontana to drop the Jenzer man to 3rd, while Robert Visoiu emerged almost unseen to assume 4th spot.
Adderly Fong grabbed 5th in his Status GP machine with six minutes, putting him ahead of Daniil Kvyat, who had led much of the session until that point.
Nick Yelloly set the 7th best time, placing him just three-tenths ahead of Carlin teammate Luis Sa Silva – a surprise as the 45 minutes drew to a close. Jack Harvey ended a quiet session in 9th, with Emanuele Zonzini rounding out the top ten.
There were two offs during the session, with Josh Webster beaching his Status GP car in the gravel after only ten minutes. Only moments later Patrick Kujala pitched his Koiranen GP car into the barrier – an unfortunate result for the driver and team on their début outing.
2013 GP3 Series round of Barcelona (Rd 1, Free Practice) Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m35.044s 2. David Fumanelli Trident 1m35.137s + 0.093s 3. Alex Fontana Jenzer 1m35.464s + 0.420s 4. Robert Visoiu MW Arden 1m35.581s + 0.537s 5. Adderly Fong Status 1m35.800s + 0.756s 6. Daniil Kvyat MW Arden 1m35.810s + 0.766s 7. Nick Yelloly Carlin 1m35.821s + 0.777s 8. Luis Sa Silva Carlin 1m36.170s + 1.126s 9. Jack Harvey ART 1m36.417s + 1.373s 10. Emanuele Zonzini Trident 1m36.471s + 1.427s 11. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin 1m36.480s + 1.436s 12. Conor Daly ART 1m36.553s + 1.509s 13. Carlos Sainz Jr MW Arden 1m36.567s + 1.523s 14. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m36.680s + 1.636s 15. Jimmy Eriksson Status 1m36.951s + 1.907s 16. Giovanni Venturini Trident 1m36.973s + 1.929s 17. Dino Zamparelli Manor 1m37.224s + 2.180s 18. Facu Regalia ART 1m37.304s + 2.260s 19. Samin Gomez Jenzer 1m37.512s + 2.468s 20. Lewis Williamson Bamboo 1m37.513s + 2.469s 21. Melville McKee Bamboo 1m37.763s + 2.719s 22. Kevin Korjus Koiranen 1m37.907s + 2.863s 23. Carmen Jorda Bamboo 1m38.321s + 3.277s 24. Ryan Cullen Manor 1m38.582s + 3.538s 25. Josh Webster Status 1m38.648s + 3.604s 26. Patrick Kujala Koiranen 1m38.801s + 3.757s 27. Aaro Vainio Koiranen 1m39.091s + 4.047s
