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Jules Bianchi on top in free practice

25.07.2008 - Frenchman Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:23.358 min) set the fastest time in free practice of the Formula 3 Euro Serie at the 3.629 kilometres’ short circuit of the Nürburgring. The rookie was 0.064 seconds faster than Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.422 min). Their respective team-mates Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix, 1:23.562 min) and Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.616 min) occupied third and fourth place.

Jules Bianchi, who complained about brake problems in yesterday’s pre-event test, was quite satisfied. “Now, I hope that I can be as fast in qualifying this afternoon.” Christian Vietoris wants to prevent this. The Mücke driver was already among the fastest in testing and he was also one of the front runners in free practice. “I am feeling well at the Nürburgring. Today, I have beaten Nico Hülkenberg, who was still faster than me yesterday. On the other hand, Jules outpaced me now.”

This time, Vietoris’s team mate Mika Mäki was placed behind Hülkenberg. “With old tyres, it went pretty well, but when we put new ones on, I had some problems at first. I already lost three tenths of a second in the first sector. We were able to get it sorted before the session was over, but at that time, my tyres were already worn out too much to try once more to be quick.”

With Erik Janis (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.753 min) in fifth place, all Mücke drivers ranked in the top five. In sixth place, returnee Tom Dillmann (Jo Zeller Racing, 1:23.804 min) confirmed his performance from the pre-event-test, in which he ended up fifth.

Jens Klingmann (RC Motorsport, 1:24.313 min) was happy with his 14th place in free practice. Thus, the driver, who just turned 18 years old, was the best-placed driver with a Volkswagen engine. “Cool, even ahead of Edoardo Mortara, who is leading the points’ standings. Now, it would be nice when I could get it done once more in qualifying. A grid position in the top 15 would be a great result for us.”

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