Press Release 04 / 2018
22nd February 2018
OFFICIAL TEST DAYS IN LE CASTELLET: CALDERON AND BECKMANN FAST
The GP3 Series teams met for the first official test days from 20th to 22nd 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 6th at noon, Juan Manuel was 13th and David 16th. 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 12th, Juan Manuel was 14th and David was 15th.
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 5th place, while Juan Manuel was 15th and David 18th. 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 3rd, while David managed a clean run that secured 6th place for him. Juan Manuel, who tested many different settings on the vehicle, finished the day in 18th 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 6th place on the afternoon of day two.
Juan Manuel Correa
Tatiana Calderon
David Beckmann
The next official test days take place on 14th/15th March in Jerez (E) and on 17th/18th 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 11th/13th May 2018.
Read more:
www.gp3series.com