The GP3 Series teams and drivers began the second of their mid-season tests today at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia ahead of next weekend’s races on the Valencia Street Circuit. It was Status Grand Prix driver Alexander Sims who came out on top, posting the fastest time of the day during the morning session.
Gabby Chaves was the early pacesetter for Addax when the action got underway, before Nico Muller went quickest for Jenzer. An hour into the session, Sims moved into P1, with a time that would remain unbeaten for the rest of the session. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs wound up second for Manor, ahead of Michael Christensen of Mucke, Muller and Lewis Williamson (MW Arden).
Points leader Nigel Melker was sixth for Mucke, ahead of Chaves and Aaro Vainio. Rounding out the top ten for the session were Mitch Evans and Zoel Amberg.
In the afternoon session, the ART trio of Valtteri Bottas, James Calado and Pedro Nunes led the way early on having saved their tyres by not posting any flying laps during the morning. In the final half hour Sims returned to top spot. A red flag late on set up a last minute shootout when the track went green again. Rio Haryanto recorded his best time of the day to take top spot, ahead of Sims and Bottas.
Williamson was fourth, with Tom Dillmann fifth. Quaife-Hobbs was sixth, with Antonio Felix da Costa in seventh and Matias Laine eighth. Christensen and Muller completed the top ten.
