Brazilian Felipe Nasr started the British Formula Three International Series weekend at Snetterton in fine form, topping Friday's testing session from Carlin teammate Rupert Svendsen–Cook.
Nasr enters the third weekend of the championship in the championship lead after adding a third win of the year to his tally in the final race at Oulton Park. In his VW powered car Nasr lapped the new 300 layout in 1:39.542 during the afternoon running as only he and Svendsen-Cook dipped below the 100 second barrier.
“I was pleased with my time,” said Ipswich based Svendsen-Cook, “and hopefully we can continue this practice pace into qualifying and the races. The weather may play a part, though: local instinct tells me there may be rain on the way.”
Will Buller completed the top three, the Ulsterman another to set his best time in the afternoon, ahead of Pipo Derani and Hywel Lloyd. Looking to bounce back after a trouble filled Oulton Park meeting over the Easter Weekend Kevin Magnussen was sixth quickest, the first man not to improve in the afternoon.
The two Oulton Park winners – besides Nasr – could only muster 11th (Lucas Foresti) and 13th (Riki Christodoulou) in the combined times.
Bart Hylkema comfortably led the Rookie Class from Kotaro Sakurai. The Japanese driver crashed at Riches – the first corner, one of the few parts of Snetterton to escape the winter overhaul – damaging his car and bringing out a red flag to end the session.
The Formula Three drivers will qualify on Saturday morning, the weekend's first race following in the afternoon. There are two further races on Sunday.
