Fastest time for Jules Bianchi in Zandvoort Test

Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:31.779 minutes) was fastest in the pre-event test of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 4.307 kilometres long track in the dunes of Zandvoort. The Frenchman set his fastest time briefly before the end of the two and a half hours of testing, which were split into two heats. Jean Karl Vernay (Signature, 1:31.817 minutes) was second fastest from Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport, 1:31.948 Minuten) and Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport, 1:32.087 Minuten).

After the end of the session, Jules Bianchi was classified second behind Roberto Merhi, but the Frenchman already expected a penalty for the Spaniard. “Roberto set his fastest time when yellow flags were out. At that point, I backed off, so I was slower. I have a good feeling for qualifying this afternoon.” Merhi was disallowed his fastest lap time and dropped back to third in the addition of the two sessions. Next to Merhi, Bianchi also expects Jean Karl Vernay, Mika Mäki (Signature, 1:32.282 minutes) and Masters-winner Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 1:32.366 minutes) to be in contention in qualifying.

Roberto Merhi had to make do with third place. “I like the track here at Zandvoort and generally, my car is better in fast corners than in slow ones”, he summed up the reasons for his performance. “I was also immediately at ease with fresh tyres.” Fourth-placed Christian Vietoris was happy with his performance. “During the Masters, things didn’t go too well for us, but today, it was all the better. The car ran great and I had quite a lot of grip. It was much more fun than during the Masters, it can continue like this. I reckon that a top 3 result in qualifying is realistic.”

The first session of the two-heat test saw Jean Karl Vernay setting the fastest time, just ahead of Roberto Merhi. The two drivers were the only ones to lap under 1:32 minutes. The Spaniard, driving for Manor Motorsport, was still in the lead with five minutes remaining, but his lead became smaller and smaller. Three minutes later, it was gone altogether as Frenchman Jean Karl Vernay was faster than Merhi. With a margin of 0.131 seconds, he managed to claim first place. In the first part of the test, Jules Bianchi had to make do with the fourth fastest time behind Christian Vietoris.

In the second part, Brendon Hartley (Carlin Motorsport, 1:32.471 Minuten) was in the lead for a long time. The New-Zealander set his fastest lap time already with one hour remaining when some of his opponents hadn’t even been out yet. Only five minutes before the end, Jules Bianchi was the first one to beat Hartley’s time. The ART driver was 0.692 seconds faster than the Carlin driver. Soon after that, Bianchi’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas also outpaced Hartley, who eventually ended up third in the second session.


- ITR -