Estoril GP3 test: Red Bull juniors lead first day
Red Bull junior drivers Carlos Sainz Jr and Daniil Kvyat topped the first day of testing with the new GP3 car at Estoril on Wednesday
The MW Arden team-mates led the way ahead of morning pacesetter Tio Ellinas, as the new car went more than three seconds faster than its predecessor had ever managed at the Portuguese track.
Formula Renault ALPS champion Kvyat topped the order heading into the closing stages, as the times tumbled in the afternoon after a morning where only around half of the field set a representative lap time.
Ellinas, who went nearly two seconds quicker than his morning benchmark, narrowly missed out on heading the Russian, before Sainz blitzed the field with 15 minutes to go.
"So many people had said how difficult the new car would be to drive and they were right," said Sainz.
"I was so surprised with the amount of power and the speed through the corners. We had a great base to start with so we will see what we can achieve."
Trident's David Fumanelli made sure the top four drivers from the morning stayed at the front in the afternoon, just ahead of Formula Renault 3.5 convert Kevin Korjus and the third MW Arden car of Robert Visoiu.
GP2 and GP3 technical director Didier Perrin was pleased with the opening day for the new GP3/13, and he believes it will produce more spectacular racing when the season kicks off.
"Today has been a big success," he said. "With more power, the car will be much more demanding for drivers.
"Therefore I am very confident that when we arrive in Barcelona for the first round, we will produce an even better show and a high level of exciting competition."
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Carlos Sainz Jr MW Arden 1m26.816s 29 2. Daniil Kvyat MW Arden 1m27.616s + 0.800s 27 3. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m27.681s + 0.865s 19 4. David Fumanelli Trident 1m27.714s + 0.898s 26 5. Kevin Korjus Koiranen 1m27.846s + 1.030s 25 6. Robert Visoiu MW Arden 1m27.871s + 1.055s 24 7. Giovanni Venturini Trident 1m28.021s + 1.205s 30 8. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m28.068s + 1.252s 42 9. Facu Regalia ART 1m28.112s + 1.296s 27 10. Conor Daly ART 1m28.309s + 1.493s 28 11. Jack Harvey ART 1m28.509s + 1.693s 21 12. Patrick Kujala Koiranen 1m28.614s + 1.798s 24 13. Aaro Vainio Koiranen 1m28.791s + 1.975s 19 14. Alex Fontana Jenzer 1m28.844s + 2.028s 28 15. Nick Yelloly Carlin 1m29.019s + 2.203s 28 16. Adderly Fong Status 1m29.029s + 2.213s 26 17. Emanuele Zonzini Trident 1m29.159s + 2.343s 28 18. Dino Zamparelli Manor 1m29.201s + 2.385s 30 19. Josh Webster Status 1m29.417s + 2.601s 27 20. Samin Gomez Jenzer 1m29.682s + 2.866s 35 21. Vicky Piria Manor 1m29.816s + 3.000s 27 22. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin 1m29.852s + 3.036s 27 23. Ethan Ringel Bamboo 1m30.266s + 3.450s 27 24. Luis Sa Silva Carlin 1m30.477s + 3.661s 26 25. Jimmy Eriksson Status 1m30.694s + 3.878s 29 26. Lewis Williamson Bamboo 1m31.142s + 4.326s 9 27. Roberto La Rocca Bamboo 1m31.313s + 4.497s 13
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