F3 Euroseries news

ART leads first Dijon practice

Local favourite and championship leader Jules Bianchi set the pace in the one and only practice session of the weekend as the championship travelled to Dijon for the first time. The ART Grand Prix team set the top two benchmark times with the Frenchman being the only man to register a sub-1:11.000 effort.

Esteban Gutierrez, Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport, 1:11.612) and Jules Bianchi shone in the first couple of minutes. Towards the end of the session, Gutierrez topped the time sheet, but with 20 minutes remaining, the hunt for his fastest time started. The first to beat his time was Tom Dillmann (Prema Powerteam, 1:11.941), but the Frenchman remained on top for only a few seconds. Jules Bianchi outpaced Dillmann, but was outpaced himself just as quickly. This time round, Mika Mäki (Signature, 1:11.456) set a faster lap time.

With twelve minutes remaining, the battle was briefly interrupted following an accident. After that, things became really exciting once more. After countless position changes throughout the field, Jules Bianchi eventually came out on top. On his fastest lap, the points' leader, who can already win the title at Dijon, was 0.437 seconds faster than his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez. "It went really well, the speed is there", he said satisfied. "The first few laps weren't so easy because I had to get used to my Formula 3 car again after having tested GP2. But then, it was top. When we remain focussed, a top five position in qualifying should be within reach", he sandbagged.

In third place, Roberto Merhi secured a good result for himself and his team Manor Motorsport. "The test was okay. At fast tracks, our car is generally better than at slow ones. And I also rather drive at faster tracks, because there, the driver is more important than at narrow circuits. I think that we can even do better still in qualifying." Mika Mäki, Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 1:11.489), Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport, 1:11.582), Marco Wittmann and Robert Wickens (Kolles & Heinz Union, 1:11.625) completed the top 8.

Wittmann ranked among the top positions almost throughout the test and at times was even fastest of all the 24 drivers. "I am happy because I was among the front runners all the time. When the track was still damp early on, I was on top together with Jules Bianchi and Mika Mäki. However, it was just a test. When I can repeat this performance in qualifying this afternoon, I will be happy."

Wickens only found his way to a position among the front runners in the exciting final stage. He failed to maintain his temporary fifth place, but eighth place for the Canadian, who already competed for Kolles & Heinz Union in the season opener and is racing Nick Tandy's car here, made him quite satisfied.

more news

• 21 Nov.
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  • Vernay takes Macau qualification race
• 20 Nov.
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  • Official: Bianchi handed Ferrari test
• 19 Nov.
  • Ericsson fastest in first Macau qualifying
• 18 Nov.
  • 'Bianchi to test Ferrari at Jerez'
• 02 Nov.
  • Rosenzweig tests for Fortec
• 25 Oct.
  • Vernay wins chaotic last race of the season
  • Photos: Sunday at Hockenheim
• 24 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Hockenheim
  • Bianchi wins as ART takes teams' title
• 23 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Hockenheim
  • Bianchi on pole at Hockenheim
  • Vernay fastest in Hockenheim practice
• 20 Oct.
  • DAMS confirms Vietoris and Piscopo
  • Bortolotti joins Carlin for Hockenheim finale
• 17 Oct.
  • Bird joins ART for GP2 Asia Series
• 13 Oct.
  • Bianchi joins GP2 with ART
• 11 Oct.
  • Bianchi claims title with win at Dijon-Prenois
  • Photos: Sunday at Dijon
• 10 Oct.
  • Vietoris wins to keep championship alive
• 09 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Dijon
  • Bianchi on pole in France
  • ART leads first Dijon practice
• 08 Oct.
  • Bianchi not distracted by title prospects
• 20 Sep.
  • Van der Zande wins second Barcelona race
• 19 Sep.
  • Photos: Saturday in Barcelona
  • Bianchi claims another win in Spain
• 18 Sep.
  • Photos: Friday in Barcelona
  • Bianchi on pole in Barcelona
  • Tandy fastest in first Barcelona session
• 15 Sep.
  • Van der Zande returns to F3 Euroseries
• 08 Sep.
  • Bird: Brands doesn't love me!
• 06 Sep.
  • Hartley and Carlin celebrate maiden win
  • Photos: Sunday at Brands Hatch
• 05 Sep.
  • Mäki wins delayed first race at Brands Hatch
  • Photos: Saturday at Brands Hatch
  • Race 1 stopped for Bianchi and Geronimi crash
• 04 Sep.
  • Bottas confident after Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Brands Hatch

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