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Productive Start For Nasr And Palmer In GP2 Testing
Carlin duo Felipe Nasr and Jolyon Palmer made a strong start to their GP2 campaigns this week with a comprehensive test programme at the first official test of the season in Jerez. Both Nasr and Palmer displayed impressive pace throughout the three day test as well as working on race starts and practice pit stops.
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Palmer started this week’s test in the best possible fashion, setting the fastest time of all during the first session on Tuesday morning. The duo also worked on race simulation, with the focus on longer runs on Wednesday afternoon.
A damp track on Thursday morning provided the perfect opportunity for pit stop practice while the track dried out, and both drivers also completed several practice starts. The team also used the Jerez test to adjust to the 2013 Pirelli compounds, which provided useful data on the Prime and Option tyres.
Reflecting on his test, Nasr said, “I’m feeling very positive to get back into the car and it’s been a good feeling over the whole three days. We’ve worked on qualifying and race set up, pit stops and race starts. Most importantly we’ve done a lot of work understanding the new tyre compounds and I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made. I’m just happy to be back in the GP2 car; I think both of the Carlin cars have got real potential this season, it’s been a very encouraging first test.”
Team mate Palmer added, “I’m pretty happy overall; the test started well with some good pace and we’ve worked through a very comprehensive programme including some race starts which even in the wet I feel more confident about now. Pace wise we’re definitely in the mix and we’re extremely competitive over a long run. There’s still a lot to learn about the tyres, they seem to be an improvement on last year; I think they’re probably more durable and there’s a more noticeable peak in grip. We’ve made a really good start this week.”
Also pleased with the team’s performance was Trevor Carlin who added, “It’s been a very successful three days in terms of the hefty test programme that we’ve got through. I think all the teams have found the new tyres to be quite different to last year and we’ve spent quite a bit of time getting a handle on that. Working together as a new team for the first time with Felipe and Jolyon I think it’s been a very successful test that we can build on next week in Barcelona.”
The GP2 team will be back in action next week for the final pre-season test in Barcelona from 5 – 7 March.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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