Formula Master rookie Fabio Leimer took established drivers by surprise in Valencia, Spain this morning by posting the fastest lap of the day.
The Jenzer Motorsport driver completed 89 laps throughout the day to finish top of the timesheets, closely followed by Sergey Afanasiev (J.D. Motorsport) and Euronova Racing’s Pierre Ragues. Competition was fierce with the top 12 drivers setting fastest laps within one second of each other.
“The car is so easy to drive,” said Leimer who raced in Formula Renault Eurocup this year. “It’s a lot faster in the corners that what I’m used to and there is a lot of downforce but I was fine after a few laps and could concentrate on setting competitive times.
“I’m hoping to race in the Series next year and doing well in this week’s test will have helped I’m sure! I did have traffic on some of my ‘new tyres’ laps though, so I think I could have still improved by two or three tenths.”
Two more newcomers joined the ranks of Formula Master drivers: Italy’s Fabio Onidi took over testing duties from Nick de Bruijn at J.D. Motorsport whilst 2007 Italian Formula 3 Champion Paolo Nocera joined Euronova Racing.
Former Bicar Racing driver, Marco Mapelli also rejoined the Series today and tested for Alan Racing, bringing the total number of participants to 25 for this week’s test, which concluded today.
Further Formula Master testing will take place in Vallelunga, Italy, on 4 and 5 December as well as 18 and 19 December 2007.
Formula Master – Valencia winter testing
Day Two
1. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1.28:792
2. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS), J.D. Motorsport, 1:28.969
3. Pierre Ragues (FRA), Euronova Racing, 1:29.286
4. Claudio Cantelli Jr (BRA), J.D. Motorsport, 1:29.297
5. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Cram Competition, 1:29.393
6. Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Famà, 1:29.414
7. Aleix Alcaraz (ESP), Cram Competition, 1:29.419
8. Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:29.467
9. Guiseppe Terranova (ITA), Promotorsport, 1:29.487
10. Fabio Onidi (ITA), J.D. Motorsport, 1:29.528
11. Salvatore Gatto (ITA), Promotorsport, 1:29.558
12. Michael Meadows, (GBR), Euronova Racing, 1:29.643
13. Oliver Campos Hull (ESP), Iris Project, 1:30.005
14. Frankie Provenzano (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:30.108
15. Dominik Schraml (GER), Alan Racing, 1:30.147
16. Michele Caliendo (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:30.171
17. Federico Rossi (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:30.487
18. Ronnee Theiler (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:30.778
19. Marco Mapelli (ITA), Alan Racing, 1:30.972
20. Gwendolyn Hertzberger (NED), Scuderia Famà, 1:31.096
21. Troy Castaneda (USA), Alan Racing, 1:31.727
22. Paolo Nocera (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:31.890
