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baronrojo · 11/07/08, 23:10:35

Jean-Karl Vernay dominates free practice at Zandvoort

11.07.2008 - French driver Jean-Karl Vernay (Signature-Plus, 1:32.413 min) was clearly the fastest in free practice of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 4.307 kilometres long race track at Zandvoort. His margin over second-placed Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:32.948 min) was more than half a second. Bianchi’s team-mates Nico Hülkenberg (1:33.039 min) and James Jakes (1:33.067 min) set the third and fourth fastest lap times respectively.

Bianchi had been on top of the time sheets for a long time, but with five minutes to go, his fellow Frenchman Vernay took over the leading position. He extended his lead with his second fast lap in a row to 0.535 seconds. “With used tyres, it already went quite well, but with new tyres, it was even better. I am very happy with my lap time and I am now hoping for a dry qualifying“, said a happy Vernay after free practice.

In spite of being beaten, Jules Bianchi wasn’t unhappy either. “For me, it was a good session, we have been working on the set-up. At the end, Jean-Karl had fresh tyres on and I didn’t, so that is why he was that much quicker.”

Behind Vernay and the ART-trio of Bianchi, Hülkenberg and Jakes, Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport, 1:33.104 min) was fourth. Only a little bit slower than the Finn was Rodolfo Gonzalez (Carlin Motorsport, 1:33.211 min) at the former Grand Prix circuit in the Dutch North Sea dunes. “I think that I get a better understanding of the Kumho tyres all the time. And my team has kept on improving the car. However, I am only sixth and it was only free practice”, the Venezuelan put his performance into perspective.

The end of the top ten was locked out by the Manor Motorsport quartet with Sam Bird (1:33.232 min) from Niall Breen (1:33.242 min), Kazuya Oshima (1:33.246 min) and Koudai Tsukakoshi (1:33.378 min). Especially Bird was impressed by thre circuit: “I am at Zandvoort for the first time, it is great fun indeed. The track can be compared to Mugello or Spa, it is still a drivers’ circuit.

11/07/08, 23:10:35	#1335 (permalink)
baronrojo Usuari@ Fecha de Ingreso: ago 2006 Coche: vw Golf V tdi Ubicación: Madrid Mensajes: 4.132	Re: Nico Hülkenberg Jean-Karl Vernay dominates free practice at Zandvoort 11.07.2008 - French driver Jean-Karl Vernay (Signature-Plus, 1:32.413 min) was clearly the fastest in free practice of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 4.307 kilometres long race track at Zandvoort. His margin over second-placed Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:32.948 min) was more than half a second. Bianchi’s team-mates Nico Hülkenberg (1:33.039 min) and James Jakes (1:33.067 min) set the third and fourth fastest lap times respectively. Bianchi had been on top of the time sheets for a long time, but with five minutes to go, his fellow Frenchman Vernay took over the leading position. He extended his lead with his second fast lap in a row to 0.535 seconds. “With used tyres, it already went quite well, but with new tyres, it was even better. I am very happy with my lap time and I am now hoping for a dry qualifying“, said a happy Vernay after free practice. In spite of being beaten, Jules Bianchi wasn’t unhappy either. “For me, it was a good session, we have been working on the set-up. At the end, Jean-Karl had fresh tyres on and I didn’t, so that is why he was that much quicker.” Behind Vernay and the ART-trio of Bianchi, Hülkenberg and Jakes, Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport, 1:33.104 min) was fourth. Only a little bit slower than the Finn was Rodolfo Gonzalez (Carlin Motorsport, 1:33.211 min) at the former Grand Prix circuit in the Dutch North Sea dunes. “I think that I get a better understanding of the Kumho tyres all the time. And my team has kept on improving the car. However, I am only sixth and it was only free practice”, the Venezuelan put his performance into perspective. The end of the top ten was locked out by the Manor Motorsport quartet with Sam Bird (1:33.232 min) from Niall Breen (1:33.242 min), Kazuya Oshima (1:33.246 min) and Koudai Tsukakoshi (1:33.378 min). Especially Bird was impressed by thre circuit: “I am at Zandvoort for the first time, it is great fun indeed. The track can be compared to Mugello or Spa, it is still a drivers’ circuit. __________________