rtl-gp-maspers-formula3-jon-lancaster-zolder-brdc-superstar-art-grand-prix

Jon Lancaster’s bid to become the best Formula 3 driver in Europe got off to a good start after setting a cracking pace in Friday’s free practice session. Despite missing the first test with a sticking throttle, the BRDC Superstar bounced back in the second, consistently setting top two times in the wet, hour-long session.

The Multiflight-backed F3 rookie recently won his first ever F3 race and this weekend’s event, the RTL GP Masters of F3, started well for the teenager who easily qualified for the super pole session this afternoon. In the qualifying session, his superb charge was hampered when Dani Clos clouted the wall and brought out the red flag.

During the interval, his ART Grand Prix team took the opportunity to put more air into the tyres of his team-mates Nico Hulkenberg and Jules Bianchi but with the minutes slipping by there was no time to do the same for Jon. At the restart, the 19 year-old from Leeds was left with just three laps in which to post his quickest time and on the harder-than-normal Kumho tyres, Jon’s ever- improving lap times were brought to an early conclusion when the chequered flag fell.

Despite that and a minor error at the second chicane, Jon posted the seventh quickest time and set himself up for a fourth row start for tomorrow’s hour-long race at the Zolder track.

"It’s pretty disappointing that the session ended when it did as over those last three laps I was gaining around two tenths each lap," said Jon. "During the red flag interval both Nico and Jules had time to put more air into their tyres but sadly I didn’t. These tyres are a lot harder than the normal ones and take a lot more time to get up to temperature but when I went out I was improving my times every lap."

The race has attracted the best Formula 3 drivers in Europe all bidding for the coveted crown that has so far been won by five British drivers since 1991. Jon’s superb pace over the last three rounds of the Formula 3 Euroseries, topped by his lights to flag victory last time out, has put him in confident mood of being able to achieve the accolade and join that illustrious list.

"I’m reasonably happy with the result of qualifying," said Jon. "We were quick throughout the wet session on Friday running pretty much P1 or P2 throughout and quick in the dry too so whatever happens with the weather tomorrow I think we have a good chance.

"I did two laps pushing hard in qualifying as the tyres took a long time to come in but then the session was red-flagged which ended that run. At the restart, I really only had three laps in which to set my quickest lap and I made a mistake and hit the kerb at the second chicane which lost me time.

"The car is great though; once again the ART Grand Prix team has done a superb job and given me a car with which it’s possible to win. It’s a good long race tomorrow and there are a few drivers up at the front that haven’t been up there before so hopefully I can make up some places at the start.

"I’m feeling pretty confident about the race in any case and if it rains which is forecast, a podium finish is very much a possibility although I’ll be going all out for victory."

The RTL GP Masters of Formula 3 race is scheduled to start at 14.00 local time tomorrow.

http://www.jonlancasterracing.com

Cathy Metcalfe

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