GP3 Series

Felix Da Costa Quickest On Opening Day In Jerez

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Antonio Felix da Costa set the fastest time on the first day of the latest GP3 Series tests at Jerez.

Several drivers were having their first taste of GP3 machinery alongside more regular names at the Spanish circuit, hosting the second post-season test for the category after the one at Estoril in Portugal last week. Formula Renault driver Arthur Pic lined up for Status GP, while Carlin ran three rookies with European F3 Open drivers Callum MacLeod and Juan Carlos Sistos being joined by Italian F3 driver Kevin Giovesi. Formula BMW drivers George Katsinis and Facu Regalia joined RSC Mucke Motorsport and Addax Team respectively, while Formula Renault 3.5 driver Albert Costa joined Tech 1 Racing. Eddie Cheever, son of the former F1 driver of the same name, joined up with Jenzer Motorsport, who run him in the Italian Formula Abarth series.

Felix da Costa, who had switched to MW Arden for this test after running for both Carlin and Addax at Estoril, topped the timesheets early in the morning session, where he remained for the rest of the morning. Alexander Sims made his return to GP3 after testing back in March, and went second quickest for ART Grand Prix. GP3 frontrunner Nico Muller was third quickest for Jenzer.

After lunch it was Indonesian series regular Rio Haryanto who was quickest to begin with for Manor Racing, before Sims moved ahead of him. The Briton remained there until the final few minutes, when Felix da Costa stole top spot, despite spending much of the afternoon in the pits. Sims hung on to second ahead of ART teammate Michael Christensen, with Tech 1 drivers Aaro Vainio and Costa in fourth and fifth.

Combined Session Times

Driver Team Time
1 22  Antonio F. DA COSTA MW ARDEN 1:35.458
2 3  Alexander SIMS ART GRAND PRIX 1:35.783
3 25  Nico MULLER JENZER MOTORSPORT 1:35.822
4 1  James CALADO ART GRAND PRIX 1:35.943
5 2  Michael CHRISTENSEN ART GRAND PRIX 1:35.955
6 28  Albert COSTA TECH 1 RACING 1:35.969
7 14  Callum MACLEOD CARLIN 1:35.973
8 27  Doru SECHELARIU TECH 1 RACING 1:35.981
9 30  Roberto MERHI ATECH CRS GP 1:36.016
10 21  Simon TRUMMER MW ARDEN 1:36.129
11 8  Rio HARYANTO MANOR RACING 1:36.196
12 5  Miki MONRAS STATUS GRAND PRIX 1:36.211
13 7  Robin FRIJNS MANOR RACING 1:36.221
14 6  Conor DALY STATUS GRAND PRIX 1:36.363
15 31  Marlon STOCKINGER ATECH CRS GP 1:36.364
16 29  Nick YELLOLY ATECH CRS GP 1:36.554
17 17  Pedro NUNES ADDAX TEAM 1:36.667
18 26  Aaro VAINIO TECH 1 RACING 1:36.668
19 10  Nigel MELKER RSC MÃœCKE MOTORSPORT 1:36.697
20 12  Willi STEINDL RSC MÃœCKE MOTORSPORT 1:36.711
21 4  Arthur PIC STATUS GRAND PRIX 1:36.722
22 24  Zoel AMBERG JENZER MOTORSPORT 1:36.870
23 19  Facu REGALIA ADDAX TEAM 1:36.914
24 20  Matias LAINE MW ARDEN 1:36.999
25 15  Kevin GIOVESI CARLIN 1:37.073
26 18  Vittorio GHIRELLI ADDAX TEAM 1:37.178
27 9  Thomas HYLKEMA MANOR RACING 1:37.338
28 23  Eddie CHEEVER JENZER MOTORSPORT 1:37.786
29 11  George KATSINIS RSC MÃœCKE MOTORSPORT 1:37.884
30 16  Juan Carlos SISTOS CARLIN 1:37.920
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Peter joined the TCF team in September 2010 and covers GP2 and GP3 along with WTCC and Formula Two. You can find him on twitter at @PeteAllen_
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