FIRST TESTS OF GP3 – JENZER TEAM QUICK

On 20^th February the GP3 Series teams met up for the first time in 2013 at the demanding Circuito do Estoril near Lisbon (P) for three days of testing. The GP3 race car, now featuring a new, 400 bhp engine and new aerodynamics, took to the track for its first outing.

The complete field of 27 drivers turned up with Samin Gomez (VEN), Patric Niederhauser (CH) and Alex Fontana (CH), our appointed drivers for the season, hard at work from the start. The weather was cool and changeable, and rain made the planned work harder than it might have been.

The first day was spent checking all components on the cars and it wasn’t until the afternoon that it was possible for the drivers to drive at full throttle. Patric’s 8^th place was promising, while Alex was 14^th and Samin 20^th.

The second day started sensationally well, despite starting with a wet track: Patric was 2^nd, Alex 3^rd and Samin an excellent 13^th. Race simulation and a number of tests were scheduled for our drivers in the afternoon and by the end Alex was 7^th, Samin 17^th and Patric 23^rd.

The third day started very wet. It eased off now and then but then reverted to a downpour more than once, which made life very difficult. Alex was 7^th in the morning session, Patric 11^th and Samin 22^nd. Again in the afternoon it was the weather that caused us the most problems. Nevertheless, our drivers again ended the session in very good positions: Alex and Patric were 7^th and 8^th respectively, and Samin was 24^th. The team and the new car had survived their baptism of fire very successfully.

Alex side Fontana front

Niederhauser front Niederhauser side

Samin and other car Samin rain

Samin rain front

The next official test days will take place on 12^th/13^th March at Barcelona (E) and on 3^rd/4^th April 2013 at Silverstone (GB). The very first races of the new season will take place as part of the Formula 1 Grand Prix programme on 11^th/12^th May 2013 at Barcelona (E).