James Calado was on top in both in Thursday’s final British F3 test ahead of this weekend’s races at Spa-Francorchamps.
Having gone quickest in the wet morning session, the 21-year-old Carlin driver, who was twice on pole position at the Belgian circuit while racing in Formula Renault last season, correctly predicted that the track conditions, which started off wet, would improve sufficiently to suit dry settings in the afternoon and promptly set a time of 2:17.020, seven tenths quicker than anyone else.
“We knew it was going to dry out, so we put slick tyres on as soon as we dared and I got the best time on my final lap,” said the Racing Steps Foundation-supported driver.
Championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne (Carlin) was second fastest ahead of William Buller (Hitech Racing). ART GP’s Alexander Sims, one of a number of F3 Euro Series drivers taking part this weekend as part of the ‘Invitational Class’ was fourth quickest and the top Mercedes-powered runner.
Menasheh Idafar (T-Sport) topped the National Class as chief rival and team-mate James Cole missed crucial track time with a broken driveshaft.
Leading times
1 James Calado, Carlin, Dallara-Volkswagen, 2:17.020
2 Jean-Eric Vergne, Carlin, Dallara-Volkswagen, 2:17.749
3 William Buller, Hitech Racing, Dallara-Volkswagen, 2:17.788
4 Alexander Sims, ART GP, Dallara-Mercedes, 2:18.526
5 Lucas Foresti, Carlin, Dallara-Volkswagen, 2:18.554
6 Oli Webb, Fortec Motorsport, Dallara-Mercedes, 2:18.715
7 Rupert Svendsen-Cook, Carlin, Dallara-Volkswagen, 2:19.669
8 Nicolas Marroc, Prema Powerteam, Dallara-Mercedes, 2:19.879
9 Adriano Buzaid, Carlin, Dallara-Volkswagen, 2:20.257
10 Felipe Nasr, Raikkonen Robertson Racing, 2:20.355
Watch British F3 highlights from Spa on Sunday 8 August at 6:35pm (BST) on Motors TV.
Andy Wilkinson
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