FORMULA MASTER RACER ON THE POWER
As Formula Master's first official test of the season concluded yesterday in Monza, the Series' 2008 single-seater has received great feedback from its drivers, declaring the car to be "straight on the power".
Completing 2,812 laps, a staggering 16,289km over the two days, Formula Master drivers were able to familiarise themselves with the Formula Master Honda K20A engine and the new Magneti Marelli hydraulic gearbox control system and data acquisition.
Scuderia Famà's Luca Persiani was amongst the Series' returning drivers testing the car this week, posting today's quickest time, and said: "The car is so quick to respond now, it's thrilling to drive.
"The engine's full power is there straight away, even at lower revs than last year's car. Gear-shifting is great too; you get an immediate and very precise response. All this makes the car more enjoyable to drive."
Rookies and returning drivers all fared well throughout today's sessions with the top 10 field featuring experienced and new racers alike, although it was 2007 graduate Persiani who posted the day's fastest time of 1:44.470.
J.D. Motorsport's Chris van der Drift followed close behind with a 1:44.516 lap, whilst rookie Yuhi Sekiguchi claimed third fastest (1:44.624), driving for Euronova Racing.
"We worked hard over the last two days to develop set-ups and get used to the car," said Sekiguchi. "I have a very good feel of the car now and will keep working hard with the team to be ready for the season start next May in Valencia."
Sekiguchi's team Euronova Racing did especially well with the rookie and team-mate Michael Meadows setting top 10 times on both days. Timings stayed close throughout today with the top 17 posting times within one second.
Formula Master's official testing continues in less than two weeks' time at Estoril, Portugal on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 April 2008.
Best rookie of the day, Yuhi Sekiguchi
Formula Master - Monza official testing
Day Two
1. Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Famà, 1:44.470
2. Chris van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport, 1:44.516
3. Yuhi Sekiguchi (JPN), Euronova Racing, 1:44.624
4. Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), Alan Racing, 1:44.728
5. Carlos Iaconelli (BRA), Pro Motorsport, 1:44.907
6. Iosef Kral (CZH), Team JVA, 1:44.926
7. Norbert Siedler (AUT), ADM Motorsport, 1:45.090
8. Michael Ammermueller (GER), Iris Project, 1:45.154
9. Mike Conway (GBR), Trident Racing, 1:45.159
10. Arturo Llobell (ESP), Cram Competition, 1:45.174
11. Kasper Andersen (DAN), Trident Racing, 1:45.232
12. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Cram Competition, 1:45.249
13. Sergy Afanasiev (RUS), J.D. Motorsport, 1:45.348
14. Alberto Costa (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:45.348
15. Fabrizio Crestani (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:45.354
16. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:45.417
17. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), J.D. Motorsport, 1:45.458
18. Filip Salaquarda (CZH), ISR, 1:45.563
19. Dominik Schraml (GER), Alan Racing, 1:45.651
20. Frankie Provenzano (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:45.783
21. Time Sandtler (GER), ISR, 1:45.788
22. Alejandro Nunez (ESP), Pro Motorsport, 1:46.132
23. Michele Caliendo (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:46.191
24. Adam Khan (PAK), Alan Racing, 1:46.305
25. Matei Mihaescu (ROM), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:46.493
26. Thomas Pivoda (CZH), ADM Motorsport, 1:47.952
