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Status GP Makes Progress As New GP3 Cars Take To The Track At Estoril
Mixed weather conditions and new-car teething problems both featured over the test, but Status GP made good progress with its quartet of drivers.
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The high spot was a top-10 position for Chinese driver Adderly Fong, a graduate from Formula 3, in the damp session on the second morning, just before he handed the car over to Britain’s Melville McKee for the remaining day and a half of the test.
Ex-Formula Renault Eurocup ace McKee then showed some good form on the final afternoon, running in the top six before a starter-motor issue prevented him getting out on new Pirelli P Zero tyres.
Swede Jimmy Eriksson, who along with Britain’s Josh Webster is confirmed in the Status GP line-up for 2013, made very strong progress after a fuel-pressure problem on the first day, but an incident prevented the reigning German Formula 3 champion from getting a run on new tyres on the final afternoon to show his true speed.
Two-time Formula Renault BARC runner-up Webster shone in the rain on Thursday morning by running in the top three, but suffered from persistent throttle problems. This was compounded on the last afternoon when he had to slow for yellow flags on his final new-tyre run.
The team will now return its new V6 400bhp racers to base before the next test, at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on 12th-13th March. This venue is also scene of the opening race weekend of the GP3 season, supporting the Spanish Grand Prix on 10th-12th May.
Driver quotes:
Adderly Fong:
“I enjoyed the test a lot. Working with Status GP is really nice – they have a lot of experience and it was a good test. We had some unexpected issues, owing to the newness of the car, which we ironed out. Everyone has learned a lot and I would love to drive the car again!”
Josh Webster:
“We had the throttle issue that the team worked really hard to fix. We finally got there with the car and it felt really good. With everything fixed we can be there or thereabouts, and we learned a lot as a team so we can move forward in the next test at Barcelona.”
Jimmy Eriksson:
“We didn’t have much running on the first day, but you can expect problems with a totally new car. We made quite good progress and I don’t think the lap times really show what we were capable of. But I am encouraged and I think we can make some good progress from here.”
Melville McKee:
“We managed to get a lot of mileage on the first afternoon and get feedback to the engineers, which is important, and try new things. The last day was a little bit frustrating – we were running really well and it was a shame I couldn’t show it on new tyres. But it’s a very nice car to drive.”
PaddockTalk Perspective
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