F3 Euroseries news

Bottas fastest in Oschersleben practice

Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 1:21.170 minutes) set the fastest lap time in the pre-event test of the Formula 3 Euro Series. At the 3.696 kilometres long circuit at the Motopark Arena Oschersleben, the ART driver was 0.309 seconds faster than Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport, 1:21.479 minutes). Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:21.513 minutes) ended up third.

This weekend, the Formula 3 Euro Series is racing at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben again for the first time since 2006. Valtteri Bottas coped best with the technical track. "I know the track very well, which certainly wasn't a disadvantage for me. With old tyres, the test didn't go very well, but we immediately had a good set-up with new ones."

After the first half of the test, Christian Vietoris wasn't satisfied at all - he was down in 16th place. However, the Mücke driver had only been able to complete eleven laps before colliding with another driver at the pit lane exit, damaging his Dallara-Mercedes. For the second half of the test, the car was ready to run again and Vietoris was able to set the second fastest time.

Third-placed Jules Bianchi was followed by Henkie Waldschmidt (SG Formula, 1:21.814 minutes). Together with ninth place for his team-mate Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula, 1:22.053 minutes), the Dutchman confirmed the good performance of his team SG Formula at the Oschersleben circuit. Behind fastest man Valtteri Bottas, Caldarelli was the second-best rookie in the 25-strong field.

In fifth place, Esteban Gutierrez (ART Grand Prix, 1:21.821 minutes) completed the equally good performance of his team ART Grand Prix. "We are all in the top five, that is a good sign", the Mexican said. ART Grand Prix is only competing with three drivers in the area near Magdeburg. Adrien Tambay had to refrain from taking part following a head injury incurred while playing football.

The top ten of the pre-event test was completed by Mika Mäki (Signature, 1:21.841 minutes), Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport, 1:21.912 minutes), Stefano Coletti (Prema Powerteam, 1:21.961 minutes), Andrea Caldarelli and Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport, 1:22.081 minutes). Returnee Renger van der Zande (Motopark Academy, 1:22.082 minutes) occupied eleventh place.

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