OFFICIAL TEST DAYS IN LE CASTELLET: CALDERON AND BECKMANN FAST

The GP3 Series teams met for the first official test days from 20^th to 22^nd February 2018 at the fascinating Paul Ricard Circuit in southern France. The circuit is back on the Formula One calendar for 2018, and the GP3 Series will also feature as the Formula 1 support category there, as it will at most of the European circuits. Our drivers Tatiana Calderon, Juan Manuel Correa and David Beckmann were very keen to get the season started.

The first day started wet and cold, and it was nearly noon when the track finally dried out. 20 race cars were in use, of which 8 were driven by rookies to the series and 12 had experienced drivers at the wheel. Tatiana coped very well and was an excellent 6^th at noon, Juan Manuel was 13^th and David 16^th. In the afternoon the track was dry and in the last hour of the session the lap times began to fall. In the end Tatiana was 12^th, Juan Manuel was 14^th and David was 15^th.

The second day started cold and overcast, but dry. Tatiana got the day off to a very good start and ended the morning session in an excellent 5^th place, while Juan Manuel was 15^th and David 18^th. In the afternoon it stayed dry to begin with, but then started raining in the last hour. Tatiana put in a very strong performance and finished in a brilliant 3^rd, while David managed a clean run that secured 6^th place for him. Juan Manuel, who tested many different settings on the vehicle, finished the day in 18^th place.

Tatiana performed brilliantly and has already achieved a top three place! David and Juan Manuel were to be found in the top ten several times over the two days, and David managed to land himself an excellent 6^th place on the afternoon of day two.

Juan Manuel Correa

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Tatiana Calderon

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David Beckmann

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The next official test days take place on 14^th/15^th March in Jerez (E) and on 17^th/18^th April 2018 in Barcelona (E). The very first race of the new season takes place as part of the support programme of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Barcelona (E) on 11^th/13^th May 2018.