Courtney returns on strong form

The Australian has been out of action since his 180mph crash at Monza while testing for the Jaguar Formula 1 team last month. He returned to his regular Carlin Motorsport F3 cockpit yesterday (Wednesday) at an official test at Snetterton.

Team boss Trevor Carlin said: "James suffered a major accident last month, one of the biggest F1 accidents of the year, so it was especially pleasing to see him back and performing so well on his first time back in the car. We are all looking forward to the challenge of taking on Europe's best F3 teams in Zandvoort."

Courtney missed one round of the British F3 championship at Rockingham during his convalescence, allowing rival Robbie Kerr to take the series points lead. Their battle will resume at Oulton Park on August 18.

Reigning Formula 3000 champion Justin Wilson made a cameo F3 appearance at the Snetterton test on Wednesday. He drove a Manor Motorsport Dallara-Mugen as a favour to team boss John Booth to help the team out on set-up work. He reportedly lapped on Courtney's pace, although no official times were taken.