Jean-Eric Vergne produced a dominant display at Rockingham yesterday to end the two day British F3 test comfortably fastest.
The Frenchman lapped the 1.94-mile Corby venue in 1m10.970s at the wheel of his Carlin Motorsport Dallara-Volkswagen, becoming the only man to break the 71 seconds barrier on either day.
"We had a good test," said Vergne. "I think we learned a lot about the car and the circuit and I was very happy to finish quickest overall. I think we are really making some good steps forward now. With every session I feel I know more about the car and feel more comfortable."
Just 0.004secs covered the next three drivers with James Calado improving dramatically on his opening day performance to set the second fastest time for Carlin, albeit 0.237secs adrift of Vergne. Adriano Buzaid continued Carlin’s domination with third while Monday’s pace setter Oli Webb was the first of the Mercedes-powered runners in fourth, although the Fortec man still ended the test with the second fastest time of the week.
Double R were up next courtesy of Daisuke Nakajima, the Japanese’s best of 1m11.410s proving just 0.029secs better than team mate Carlos Huertas in the sister Dallara-Mercedes.
Fortec’s Daniel McKenzie and the improving Hywel Lloyd in the CF Racing Dallara-Mercedes picked up seventh and eighth respectively, followed by reigning Formula BMW Europe champion Felipe Nasr and Will Buller, who completed the top ten.
For the fourth test day running, Britain’s Menasheh Idafar dominated National Class proceedings. His 1m11.844s effort was actually good enough to put him 11th overall as well as over half a second clear of his nearest National Class challenger, T-Sport team mate James Cole.
The final test ahead of the new season takes place at Oulton Park next Wednesday (March 10).
Leading International runners Tuesday
1 Jean-Eric VERGNE / FRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 10.970s
2 James CALADO / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 11.288s
3 Adriano BUZAID / BRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 11.290s
4 Oli WEBB / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 11.292s
5 Daisuke NAKAJIMA / JPN, RR Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 11.410s
6 Carlos HUERTAS / COL, RR Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 11.439s
7 Daniel McKENZIE / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 11.491s
8 Hywel LLOYD / GBR, CF Racing Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 11.666s
9 Felipe NASR / BRA, RR Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 11.689s
10 William BULLER / GBR, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 11.817s
11 Rupert SVENDSEN-COOK / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 11.888s
12 Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 11.947s
13 Gabriel DIAS / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 12.017s
14 Lucas FORESTI / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 12.416s
15 Alex BRUNDLE / GBR, T-Sport Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 12.706s
16 Jay BRIDGER / GBR, Litespeed Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 12.959s
17 Adderly FONG / CHN, Sino Vision Dallara-Mercedes / 1m 13.992s
Leading National Class runners
1 Menasheh IDAFAR / GBR, T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda / 1m 11.844s
2 James COLE / GBR, T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda / 1m 12.422s
3 Rio HARYANTO / INA, West-Tec Dallara-Mugen Honda / 1m 13.392s
4 Alex JONES / GBR, West-Tec Dallara-Mugen Honda / 1m 13.199s
Invitation Class
Pietro FANTIN / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen / 1m 12.935s
Catch all the action from this season’s British F3 campaign on Motors TV.
Tom Hornsby
International
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