Carlin’s Carlos Huertas dodged mid-session showers on Friday to post the fastest time of the day ahead of the final 2011 British Formula 3 weekend at Silverstone.
Huertas was one of the final cars on track to set a flying lap before overcast skies opened over the Northamptonshire circuit, and the Columbian pipped team-mate and newly crowned British F3 champion Felipe Nasr to the top spot by 0.2s.
Huertas was the first to admit his luck, but still felt optimistic about his chances of claiming 2nd place in the overall championship. “The weather was kind to me,” said Carlos, “but the car feels good in the dry. It was useful to get some wet running also, and I am happy whatever the conditions are tomorrow. Today counts for nothing really, but I hope it is a good omen for my final F3 races.”
Nasr was fastest in the morning session, though the field concentrated on more general setup work rather than out-right pace. The Brazilian beat runner-up hopeful Kevin Magnussen in the cooler morning conditions, with Jack Harvey and Jazeman Jaafar following respectively.
In the afternoon, Rupert Svendsen-Cook climbed to 3rd overall ahead of guest driver and GP3 contender Mitch Evans, who also posted his quickest time during the dry window – the young Kiwi impressing on his F3 debut. Likewise Scott Pye drove his Double R Dallara into 5th behind his team-mate, with Harvey in 6th.
Fortec’s William Buller claimed 7th fastest ahead of team-mate Lucas Foresti, who pipped Magnussen by a few hundredths to claim 8th. Pietro Fantin rounded out the top 10 followed closely by Jaafar.
Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series
Official testing, Silverstone GP / 7/10/2011
Championship class
1 Carlos HUERTAS / COL, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 57.373s / 1m 53.703s
2 Felipe NASR / BRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 56.638s / 1m 53.922s
3 Rupert SVENDSEN-COOK / GBR, Carlin Dallara-VW 1m 57.501s / 1m 54.388s
4 Mitch EVANS /NZL, Double R Dallara-Mercedes 2m 00.516s / 1m 54.449s
5 Scott PYE / AUS, Double R Dallara-Mercedes 2m 02.611s / 1m 54.578s
6 Jack HARVEY / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 56.843s / 1m 54.891s
7 William BULLER /GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 57.415s/ 1m 54.942s
8 Lucas FORESTI / BRA, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 57.996s / 1m 55.061s
9 Kevin MAGNUSSEN / DEN, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 56.720s / 1m 55.085s
10 Pietro FANTIN / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 2m 01.001s / 1m 55.112s
11 Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 57.033s / 1m 55.125s
12 Alexander SIMS / GBR, Motopark Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 57.349s / 1m 55.544s
13 Harry TINCKNELL / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 58.803s / 1m 55.807s
14 Pipo DERANI / BRA, Double R Dallara-Mercedes 2m 00.338s / 1m 55.874s
15 Hywel LLOYD / GBR, Sino Vision Dallara-Mercedes 1m 59.527s / 1m 56.197s
16 Max SNEGIREV / RUS, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 2m 02.877s / 1m 56.207s
17 Fahmi ILYAS / MAS, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 57.290s / 1m 56.637s
18 Menasheh IDAFAR / GBR, T-Sport Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 59.200s / 1m 56.756s
19 Yann CUNHA / BRA, T-Sport Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 59.821s / 1m 56.856s
20 Adderly FONG / CHN, Sino Vision Dallara-Mercedes 1m 58.457s / 1m 57.087s
21 Bart HYLKEMA / NED, T-Sport Volkswagen 2m 01.029s / 1m 57.586s
Invitation class
1 Guilherme SILVA / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 2m 00.966s / 1m 57.367s
Rookie class
1 Kotaro SAKURAI / JPN, Hitech Dallara-Mugen Honda 2m 03.097s / 1m 59.779s
Qualifying for the final weekend of the 2011 season begins at 11:25 on Saturday, with Race 1 (Rd 28) scheduled for 3:10.