Rossi on top after first GP3 tests
Alexander Rossi came out on top of the first GP3 Series test at Paul Ricard - not only setting the quickest time of the week, but heading three of the four sessions held
Having led the way in Thursday morning's inaugural test, the ART driver was quickest in both of today's sessions as well, eventually getting down to 1m20.013s around Ricard's 3D configuration.
Rossi led an ART one-two this afternoon ahead of team-mate Esteban Gutierrez - who had been fastest yesterday in the one session Rossi did not top.
ART team boss Frederic Vasseur was delighted with his squad's form - but also with the reliability and performance of the GP3 car in its track debut.
"This has been a really positive first test session for us, but also for GP3 in general," he said.
"Our cars have been consistently reliable throughout the two days, and we have covered a significant amount of kilometres, gathering invaluable data to move forward.
"After watching the cars on track these past two days I think it's safe to say that we have a great season of racing ahead of us."
Carlin's Max Chilton and Adriano Buzaid were next up in the final session, followed by Michael Christensen for MW Arden. Addax's Pablo Sanchez Lopez and Manor's James Jakes had completed the top three in the morning.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Alexander Rossi ART 1m20.013s 67 2. Esteban Gutierrez ART 1m20.089s + 0.076s 75 3. Max Chilton Carlin 1m20.257s + 0.244s 60 4. Adriano Buzaid Carlin 1m20.366s + 0.353s 90 5. Michael Christensen MW Arden 1m20.531s + 0.518s 86 6. Dean Stoneman Tech 1 1m20.549s + 0.536s 90 7. Pablo Sanchez Lopez Addax 1m20.844s + 0.831s 72 8. James Jakes Manor 1m20.910s + 0.897s 83 9. Nigel Melker RSC Mucke 1m20.920s + 0.907s 61 10. Robert Wickens Status 1m20.920s + 0.907s 42 11. Olivier Oakes Addax 1m20.975s + 0.962s 52 12. Luiz Razia Manor 1m21.015s + 1.002s 36 13. Miki Monras MW Arden 1m21.101s + 1.088s 82 14. Leonardo Cordeiro MW Arden 1m21.138s + 1.125s 89 15. Alexander Sims Atech CRS 1m21.141s + 1.128s 108 16. Nico Muller Jenzer 1m21.148s + 1.135s 79 17. Luca Foresti Carlin 1m21.208s + 1.195s 76 18. Mirko Bortolotti Addax 1m21.284s + 1.271s 57 19. Kazimieras Vasiliauskas Tech 1 1m21.420s + 1.407s 52 20. Simon Trummer Jenzer 1m21.460s + 1.447s 88 21. Daniel Morad Status 1m21.468s + 1.455s 71 22. Rio Haryanto Manor 1m21.613s + 1.600s 62 23. Pal Varhaug Jenzer 1m21.636s + 1.623s 81 24. Renger Van der Zande RSC Mucke 1m21.735s + 1.722s 56 25. Carlos Munoz RSC Mucke 1m21.778s + 1.765s 57 26. Pedro Nunes ART 1m22.197s + 2.184s 79 27. Doru Sechelariu Tech 1 1m22.207s + 2.194s 52 28. Vittorio Ghirelli Atech CRS 1m22.592s + 2.579s 93 29. Viktor Jensen Atech CRS 1m22.718s + 2.705s 72 30. Ivan Lukashevich Status 1m23.525s + 3.512s 70
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