Kvyat sets the pace in Free GP3 Practice at Monza
The session opened up with high track temperatures of 37 degrees as the 27 drivers ventured around the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. First out onto the circuit was Sainz, Robert Visoiu and David Fumanelli. Trident’s Fumanelli was first to lap in the 1m39’s before Kvyat, Kevin Korjus and Conor Daly bettered the Italian’s time.
Kvyat headed the timings by a mere 0.020s over Sims at the midway point, with the Russian GP3 winner again improving on his own personal best to increase his advantage. The drivers made their way into the pits towards the latter part of Free Practice, some to try new Pirelli tires, whilst others concentrated on strategy and longer runs.
Bamboo Engineering’s Lewis Williamson shot to P1 but only for a few seconds as Carlin’s Nick Yelloly lapped quicker. Adderly Fong (Status Grand Prix) lit up the timing screen, setting the fastest first sector and a good middle, but went off into the gravel at Turn 11, ending his session.
With just a few seconds left on the clock, Kvyat reclaimed his position back at the top of the timesheets to end fastest overall, just one tenth quicker than Sainz. At the checkered flag Sims took P3, ahead of Yelloly, Visoiu, Fumanelli, Alex Fontana, Williamson, Melville McKee and Giovanni Venturini.
Qualifying takes place at 09.45 CET tomorrow morning, this will be even more important with all eyes on the battle for the GP3 championship and with 4 points up for stake for claiming pole position, competition will be fiercer than ever…
Free Practice
Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
1. | Daniil Kvyat | MW Arden | 1:37.715 | 16 |
2. | Carlos Sainz | MW Arden | 1:37.872 | 19 |
3. | Alexander Sims | Carlin | 1:37.941 | 18 |
4. | Nick Yelloly | Carlin | 1:38.073 | 19 |
5. | Robert Visoiu | MW Arden | 1:38.201 | 20 |
6. | David Fumanelli | Trident | 1:38.427 | 17 |
7. | Alex Fontana | Jenzer Motorsport | 1:38.686 | 20 |
8. | Lewis Williamson | Bamboo Engineering | 1:38.760 | 19 |
9. | Melville McKee | Bamboo Engineering | 1:38.815 | 18 |
10. | Giovanni Venturini | Trident | 1:38.866 | 17 |
11. | Tio Ellinas | Marussia Manor Racing | 1:38.875 | 18 |
12. | Facu Regalia | ART Grand Prix | 1:38.937 | 17 |
13. | Dino Zamparelli | Marussia Manor Racing | 1:39.045 | 19 |
14. | Luis Sa Silva | Carlin | 1:39.055 | 20 |
15. | Conor Daly | ART Grand Prix | 1:39.095 | 17 |
16. | Kevin Korjus | Koiranen GP | 1:39.169 | 18 |
17. | Patric Niederhauser | Jenzer Motorsport | 1:39.177 | 20 |
18. | Emanuele Zonzini | Trident | 1:39.231 | 20 |
19. | Aaro Vainio | Koiranen GP | 1:39.254 | 16 |
20. | Jack Harvey | ART Grand Prix | 1:39.355 | 17 |
21. | Josh Webster | Status Grand Prix | 1:39.431 | 21 |
22. | Samin Gomez | Jenzer Motorsport | 1:39.566 | 20 |
23. | Jimmy Eriksson | Status Grand Prix | 1:39.595 | 22 |
24. | Patrick Kujala | Koiranen GP | 1:39.931 | 18 |
25. | Adderly Fong | Status Grand Prix | 1:39.972 | 18 |
26. | Carmen Jorda | Bamboo Engineering | 1:41.156 | 19 |
27. | Ryan Cullen | Marussia Manor Racing | 1:41.204 | 12 |