TEAM NEWS: Carlin lead the way as British F3 resumes
TEAM NEWS: British F3 champions Carlin started the 2010 season where they finished it in 2009 - at the top of the timesheets. Racing Steps Foundation driver James Calado set the benchmark time in both the morning and afternoon sessions, with fellow Carlin drivers Jean Eric Vergne and Adriano Buzaid setting the second and third quickest times respectively in the afternoon session.
The 2010 Cooper Tires British F3 International Series kicked off today, with the first half of a two day test at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk. Carlin's 2010 team, consisting of Calado, Vergne, Buzaid, Jazeman Jaafar and Rupert Svendsen-Cook all enjoyed a successful day around the 1.9 mile circuit.
James Calado started the day as he meant to go on - immediately jumping to the top of the time sheets. Despite the wet conditions, all five Carlin drivers stayed on track and gathered vital experience and data for the season ahead. As the day drew to a close Calado's best time in the afternoon remained unchallenged, with Red Bull racer Vergne finishing the day second fastest overall.
Reflecting on the first official test of the season, Calado said, "We made a really good start today; I'm pleased. The car felt great and we were very consistent, which is always a positive sign. It's a pity it was wet, as that tends to hold you back a little bit, but we still made good progress. I'm looking forward to getting back in the car and working hard again tomorrow."
Carlin race director Trevor Carlin commented, "I'm very pleased with a great day's work by the drivers and the team. The cars ran with 100 per cent reliability throughout the day, which is testament to the work carried out by the mechanics over the winter. Despite the inclement weather, the engineers managed a large amount of development work which should help prepare us for the season ahead."
