2015 GP3 Pre-Season Test (Valencia) Day 1

ART GP Continue to Perform

© GP3 Series

After a short break, GP3 lands in Valencia for its second pre-season test. This is yet another opportunity for the teams to see what each other has to offer. After losing the title last year, ART GP will be determined to reclaim their crown. Considering their line up, they may be in with a real chance.

All but 1 seat has been filled for this years GP3 season. This meant that Campos Racing held the last remaining ball in their court. Samin Gomez was chosen to test the car, which, having not run anyone last time, could prove to be their permanent signing. Meanwhile Koiranen have brought in Kevin Korjus to replace Fong for the test.

Many drivers did not set any competitive laps at the start, allowing Palou and Ashkanani to take the early lead. As others improved, as did Palou, however his lead looked like it would not last long and towards the end of the session Luca Ghiotto shot to P2 ahead of Kirchhöfer and Ocon. Palou improved on his best time as the session came towards an end to further enhance on his P1, whilst Ocon got the better of Kirchhöfer in the final moments of the session.

Palou continued to set the early pace at the start, but faced stiffer competition from his fellow competitors. Varhaug and Ocon would top the session later. In the final half an hour, we saw yet another rush for time, amazingly Ocon, Varhaug, Eriksson and Mardenborough were covered by just 0.093s showing how competitive the field was. However; it was Kirchhofer who had the final laugh at the end of the session to finish top.

Results:

Pos.	Driver	Nat.	Team	Morning	Afternoon
1	Marvin Kirchhöfer	GER	ART Grand Prix	1:21.848 [3]	1:21.098
2	Luca Ghiotto	ITA	Trident	1:21.918 [5]	1:21.288
3	Esteban Ocon	FRA	ART Grand Prix	1:21.372 [2]	1:21.309
4	Alex Palou	ESP	Campos Racing	1:21.269 [1]	1:21.319
5	Kevin Korjus	EST	Koiranen GP	1:22.361	1:21.530
6	Pal Varhaug	NOR	Jenzer Motorsport	1:22.712	1:21.531
7	Emil Bernstorff	GBR	Arden International	1:22.595	1:21.532
8	Oscar Tunjo	COL	Trident	1:21.916 [4]	1:21.556
9	Matthew Parry	GBR	Koiranen GP	1:22.878	1:21.580
10	Jimmy Eriksson	SWE	Koiranen GP	1:22.539	1:21.581
11	Jann Mardenborough	GBR	Carlin	1:22.158	1:21.604
12	Alex Fontana	SUI	Status Grand Prix	1:22.374	1:21.642
13	Alfonso Celis. Jr	MEX	ART Grand Prix	1:22.017	1:21.694
14	Ralph Boschung	SUI	Jenzer Motorsport	1:22.393	1:21.876
15	Seb Morris	GBR	Status Grand Prix	1:22.190	1:21.896
16	Antonio Fuoco	ITA	Carlin	1:22.553	1:21.899
17	Matheo Tuscher	SUI	Jenzer Motorsport	1:22.653	1:21.920
18	Sandy Stuvik	THA	Status Grand Prix	1:22.833	1:22.121
19	Zaid Ashkanani	KUW	Campos Racing	1:22.880	1:22.184
20	Kevin Ceccon	ITA	Arden International	1:22.306	1:22.374
21	Artur Janosz	POL	Trident	1:22.999	1:22.433
22	Mitchell Gilbert	AUS	Carlin	1:22.645	1:22.989
23	Aleksander Bosak	POL	Arden International	1:23.351	1:23.423
24	Samin Gomez	VEN	Campos Racing	1:25.019	1:23.969
The Positions are the results of the Afternoon Session [1] – Position in Morning Session (only top 5 shown)

Speculation had grown over Palou's quick pace in the last test being down to other drivers not picking up speed. But after two strong results, many are likely to keep an eye on the driver who's in only his second year of car racing. Meanwhile, the bottom 4 of the morning session were also in the bottom 6 of the afternoon session. Suggesting a back of the grid group of drivers are forming, they'll have to pick up their pace if they want to prove themselves.

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