Abu Dhabi GP3: Alex Lynn fastest in practice for title decider
Alex Lynn set the pace in GP3 free practice in Abu Dhabi, outpacing Nick Yelloly by 27 thousandths of a second
Carlin driver Lynn needs to score just one point to be sure of clinching the championship this weekend, even if title rival Dean Stoneman takes a maximum points haul by winning both races, taking pole position and securing both fastest laps.
After Lynn hit the top of the timesheets on his final run, Yelloly came close to deposing him by setting fastest times in the second and third sectors, but Lynn's pace in sector one ensured he stayed ahead.
Marvin Kirchhofer was third fastest ahead of Stoneman, who had been quickest before the final runs.
Kirchhoffer is still in contention for the runner-up spot in the championship, with Jimmy Eriksson and Richie Stanaway, who ended the session 17th and 18th, also among those in range.
GP3 debutant Kang Ling, who has appeared in British and German Formula 3 this year, was 23rd and slowest for Trident.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Lynn | Carlin | 1m56.241s | - |
| 2 | Nick Yelloly | Status Grand Prix | 1m56.268s | 0.027s |
| 3 | Marvin Kirchhofer | ART Grand Prix | 1m56.324s | 0.083s |
| 4 | Dean Stoneman | Koiranen GP | 1m56.469s | 0.228s |
| 5 | Patric Niederhauser | Arden International | 1m57.125s | 0.884s |
| 6 | Alex Fontana | ART Grand Prix | 1m57.149s | 0.908s |
| 7 | Patrick Kujala | Trident | 1m57.212s | 0.971s |
| 8 | Dino Zamparelli | ART Grand Prix | 1m57.223s | 0.982s |
| 9 | Emil Bernstorff | Carlin | 1m57.268s | 1.027s |
| 10 | Luis Jorge Sa Silva | Carlin | 1m57.462s | 1.221s |
| 11 | Pal Varhaug | Jenzer Motorsport | 1m57.502s | 1.261s |
| 12 | Kevin Ceccon | Jenzer Motorsport | 1m57.533s | 1.292s |
| 13 | Jann Mardenborough | Arden International | 1m57.545s | 1.304s |
| 14 | Matheo Tuscher | Jenzer Motorsport | 1m57.616s | 1.375s |
| 15 | Riccardo Agostini | Hilmer Motorsport | 1m57.787s | 1.546s |
| 16 | Robert Visoiu | Arden International | 1m57.882s | 1.641s |
| 17 | Jimmy Eriksson | Koiranen GP | 1m58.082s | 1.841s |
| 18 | Richie Stanaway | Status Grand Prix | 1m58.707s | 2.466s |
| 19 | Santiago Urrutia | Koiranen GP | 1m58.810s | 2.569s |
| 20 | Ryan Cullen | Trident | 1m59.087s | 2.846s |
| 21 | Alfonso Celis | Status Grand Prix | 1m59.189s | 2.948s |
| 22 | Nelson Mason | Hilmer Motorsport | 1m59.195s | 2.954s |
| 23 | Kang Ling | Trident | 2m01.129s | 4.888s |
CURRENT GP3 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
| Pos | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Lynn | 185 |
| 2 | Dean Stoneman | 138 |
| 3 | Marvin Kirchhofer | 137 |
| 4 | Jimmy Eriksson | 127 |
| 5 | Richie Stanaway | 123 |
| 6 | Emil Bernstorff | 112 |
| 7 | Nick Yelloly | 108 |
| 8 | Dino Zamparelli | 101 |
| 9 | Jann Mardenborough | 77 |
| 10 | Patric Niederhauser | 56 |
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