17 March 2014
Beitske Visser dominates Barcelona test
Beitske Visser (AVF) set best time during day one of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 collective test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Dutch native was quickest in both sessions on the day. With a lap of 1’43’’396 this afternoon, she led the way from Caterham Racing Academy member, Matt Parry (Fortec Motorsports) and Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing).
After Motorland Aragón and Paul Ricard, 26 drivers and ten Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 teams are at Barcelona for two more days of collective testing.
Beitske Visser posted the opening reference time, which was then bested by Louis Delétraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing) before an interruption caused by Sun Zheng (China BRT by JCS). When the test session resumed Ignazio D’Agosto (Koiranen GP) briefly held the top spot before Beitske Visser, Louis Delétraz and Matthew Graham (China BRT by JCS) went faster. At the mid-way point in the session, the AVF diver answered back with a best time 1’44’’076. Charles Leclerc (Fortec Motorsports), Matthew Graham, Aurélien Panis (ART Junior Team) and Louis Delétraz completed the Top 5 in the morning session.
In the afternoon, the track remained quiet for the first 40 minutes. Jeroen Slaghekke (ART Junior Team) and Hans Villemi (Prema Powerteam) were at the sharp end of the order before Anthoine Hubert (Tech 1 Racing), Aurélien Panis, Charles Leclerc then Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam) took the top spot. Despite five red flags, the pace picked up late in the session. Martin Rump (Fortec Motorsports), Anthoine Hubert, Louis Delétraz and Matt Parry moved ahead, but it was Beitske Visser stopping the clock at 1’43’’396 before a final interruption. Matt Parry, Kevin Jörg, Charles Leclerc and Egor Orudzhev (Tech 1 Racing) rounded out the Top 5.
What they said
Beitske Visser: « We still haven’t decided what we will do for the upcoming season. In Paul Ricard, we were struggling a bit with putting the lap together with the new tyres but everything was good today. These results are good for the confidence. »
Matt Parry: « This morning, we kept working on the car in order to focus on the new tyres in the afternoon. I set a good time, although we were a little off the pace in sector two. I think we will be able to set a fast lap tomorrow morning, the track should be very quick at that time. »
Louis Delétraz: « This morning was about learning the track. The tyre restrictions meant we had to run on used tyres all day before putting on fresh rubber late in the afternoon. Sadly, I went off. All the same we met our goal. It feels good that I can run up front in the Eurocup. »
Charles Leclerc: « The test went very well, even more so because I am an open-wheel newcomer. This afternoon, I made a mistake with the new tyres in my final series of fast laps. Yet, fourth place during my first test in the Eurocup is very satisfying ahead of my races at Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring and Budapest. »
