Formula News 2: Martins tops rain-hit Thursday Practice

Victor Martins made a quick start to the Monte Carlo weekend by setting the fastest time in a rain-affected Practice session. The ART Grand Prix driver’s lap of 1:39.237 lead the field ahead of Richard Verschoor and Dennis Hauger.

Heavy rain hit the track just before the start of the session, meaning drivers headed out onto a damp circuit. This made for tricky running with Enzo Fittipaldi the first to have a close call with the barrier at the hairpin section, although he was able keep his Van Amersfoort Racing car going.

As conditions improved and the drivers gained more confidence in the wet, the fastest time changed hands multiple times. But after 10 minutes of running, Martins led an ART 1-2, his time of 1:40.531 put him half a second clear of Zak O’Sullivan.

Martins continued to set the pace and once again lowered the benchmark time to a 1:39.237. Trident’s Verschoor followed him across the line to go up to P2, albeit nine-tenths behind.

But Red Flags were waved shortly afterwards with Franco Colapinto stationary in his MP Motorsport car after contact with the barrier at La Rascasse.

The action resumed with 20 minutes to go, and Dennis Hauger was the next driver to improve, moving up to second, six-tenths off Martins’ leading time.

The rain began to worsen as the session entered into the final 10 minutes leading the teams to bring their cars back into the pitlane.

It meant there was no change in the leaderboard with Martins ending up fastest ahead of Hauger and Verschoor. Isack Hadjar was fourth for Campos Racing while O’Sullivan rounded out the top five for ART.

Thursday Practice Times