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GP3: Robert Wickens leads the way

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Khatir Soltani
GP3 press release

Status GP’s Robert Wickens posted the fastest lap during Thursday afternoon’s test session at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.

The session was dry and bright providing ideal conditions for the thirty young drivers. Wickens led the pack posting a time of 1:27.881, the Canadian snatching the top spot in the dying minutes of the session on fresh rubber.

The Status driver was quickly followed by Tech 1 Racing’s Jean Eric Vergne, the Frenchman making a triumphant return to the Series finishing in second. In third spot was ART Grand Prix’s Esteban Gutierrez, the Mexican posting a time of 1:28.163. Fourth was RSC Mucke Motorsport’s Nigel Melker followed by Manor’s James Jakes.

The session was marred by a splattering of red flags. GP3 new guy Emmanuel Piget stop on track in his #27 Tech 1 Racing car early in the session, whilst his teammate Jean Eric Vergne caused the second red flag of the afternoon by stopping in the pit lane exit. The third and final red flag was caused by a spinning Lucas Foresti in his #16 Carlin car. 

Robert Wickens, Status Grand Prix: “Overall went really well. We had hardly any mechanical issues and any we did just needed a quick fix and we were back on track so we got through our test plan. We were just trying new different things and I think we are already ahead of the game. Reliability was also very good today.”


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada