Jenzer Motorsport’s Pal Varhaug tops both sessions in Spain

Norwegian Pal Varhaug clocked the fastest time in both the morning and afternoon session at the Circuit De Catalunya, Barcelona. His best time of 1:34.867 was set in the morning.

Sunshine greeted the GP3 Series paddock for the second and final day of pre-season testing. It was a busy start to the morning with all 24 drivers eager to make the most of the conditions. Varhaug led the way early on just 0.011’s faster than Campos Racing’s Alex Palou with Jenzer Motorsport’s Matheo Tuscher and Esteban Ocon (ART Grand Prix) rounding out the top four.

After one hour, the Norwegian driver improved on his personal best to dip into the 1m34’s with Ocon moving up to P2. There was a short break in proceedings when Ashkanani stopped between turns 6-7 and unfortunately again later in the session at Turn 14.

Whilst some teams concentrated on pit-stop practice, Ghiotto shot to P2, two tenths off the Jenzer Motorsport driver’s fastest lap.  The positions at the top remain unchanged and at the chequered flag Varhaug remained in control of the timesheet. Ghiotto, Ocon, Tuscher, Jann Mardenborough, Ralph Boschung, Palou, Marvin Kirchhöfer, Emil Bernstorff and Seb Morris completed the top ten.

Boschung led the start of the afternoon session until Varhaug bettered his time. At the midway point, the Arden International duo of Kevin Ceccon and Emil Bernstorff jumped up to second and third displacing the Swiss rookie. The focus for most teams was long runs with the opening round fast approaching.

As the clock ticked down, nobody was able to improve so for Varhaug ended the day with P1 for both sessions. Behind the Jenzer Motorsport driver at the chequered flag were Ceccon, Bernstorff, Kirchhöfer, Boschung, Adderly Fong, Palou, Ocon, Matthew Parry and Aleksander Bosak.

This marks the end of testing and the GP3 Series will be back at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona in two weeks’ time for the opening round of the 2015 season on 08-10 May.