F3 Open: Monje sets testing pace on debut

Debutant Fernando Monje wowed the International F3 Open field with the fastest time of the opening day’s testing at Barcelona today.

The Catalan, still only 17, was making his first appearance at the wheel of an F3 car after stepping up from a single season in Formula Academy. Putting in a performance that bellied his inexperience, the Emilio de Villota Motorsport recruit set a blistering best lap of 1m42.259s to end the day a full 0.623secs clear of nearest rival Kevin Ceccon in the first of the RP Motorsport entries.

Two tenths further back in another of the de Villota Dallaras was Juan Carlos Sistos who, at just 16, was  equally as impressive as team mate Monje, the Mexican heading David Fumanelli and Biagio Bulnes in RP Motorsport’s second and third cars.

Noel Jammal’s 1:43.877s lap was enough for the LB to claim sixth for new squad Cedars Motorsport, ending the day half a second up on Pedrito Quesada. André Solano completed the top eight.

1.Ferrán Monje               ES      Emiliodevillota.com        1:42.259
2. Kevin Ceccon              IT      RP Motorsport                 1:42.882 +0.623
3. Juan Carlos Sistos       MEX   Emiliodevillota.com        1:43.089 +0.830
4. David Fumanelli          IT       RP Motorsport                 1:43.268 +1.009
5. Biagio Bulnes             VEN   RP Motorsport                 1:43.409 +1.150
6. Noel Jammal              LB     Cedars Motorsport          1:43.877 +1.618
7. Pedrito Quesada         ES      Porteiro Motorsport       1:44.292 +2.033
8. André Solano             CR     Emiliodevillota.com        1:45.095 +2.836

Catch International F3 Open coverage on Motors TV throughout 2010.


Tom Hornsby