FORMULA MASTER DRIVERS
Jenzer Motorsport's Fabio Leimer topped the timesheets yesterday in Estoril, Portugal, as Formula Master drivers acquainted themselves with the only new track to feature on this year's racing calendar.
The four-kilometre circuit, which staged the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996, will host Formula Master's rounds seven and eight on 12-13 July.
Keen to impress on a circuit which saw Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna claim his first Formula 1 win in 1985, Leimer posted the day's fastest time, 1:32.315 at the wheel of his Formula Master race car.
"Today was very nice for me," said Leimer, who set his best time this morning. "The car feels good here, especially in the corners and things look promising for when we come back to race here.
"Estoril is a new track for Formula Master this year but I was there in 2007 with another series. It's a pretty unique circuit so it's hard to compare but I'd say it has some similarities to Valencia. Although not too much!"
Also making the most of the morning's warm weather, Kasper Andersen (Trident Racing) closely followed, just five tenths behind. Third fastest was Chris van der Drift, driving for J.D. Motorsport with a lap-time of 1:33.039.
Increasing temperatures didn't stop the same three drivers from battling this afternoon's fastest time and it was Dutchman Chris van der Drift that claimed the honour with a time of 1:32.611. In second place, Fabio Leimer posted his best lap of the afternoon, 1:32.713, whilst Denmark's Kasper Andersen claimed third fastest (1:32.836).
"It was my first time here and the track's great," said van der Drift. "It's very hilly and each corner is very different from the other, which makes for quite an intense lap. The last half hour was the best for me, I went out on new tyres and set my fastest lap.
"The car's really good this year, the new gearbox control system and engine make a real difference. You have access to a lot more power now and the car is quicker to drive."
Cram Competition drivers Arturo Llobell and Pablo Sanchez Lopez shone as the only team-mates to post times within the overall top ten. Llobell claimed fourth overall, posting a best lap of 1:33.055, whilst Sanchez Lopez was tenth (1:33.348).
Also present was German driver Dominik Schraml whose return to Formula Master for 2008 was confirmed by his team Alan Racing. Schraml competed in the Series last year with ADM Motorsport.
Testing at the Circuito do Estoril concludes today
Formula Master - Estoril official testing
Day One: morning - top eight
1. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:32.315
2. Kasper Andersen (DEN), Trident Racing, 1:32.858
3. Chris van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport, 1:33.039
4. Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Famá, 1:33.159
5. Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), Alan Racing, 1:33.259
6. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Cram Competition, 1:33.406
7. Alberto Costa (ITA), Cram Competition, 1:33.422
8. Arturo Llobell (ESP), Cram Competition, 1:33.430
Formula Master - Estoril official testing
Day One: afternoon - top eight
1. Chris van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport, 1:32.611
2. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:32.713
3. Kasper Andersen (DEN), Trident Racing, 1:32.836
4. Arturo Llobell (ESP), Cram Competition, 1:33.055
5. Michael Ammermueller (GER), Iris Project, 1:33.098
6. Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), Alan Racing, 1:33.107
7. Tim Sandtler (GER), ISR, 1:33.123
8. Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Famá, 1:33.195
Formula Master - Estoril official testing
Day One: overall
1. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:32.315
2. Chris van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport, 1:32.611
3. Kasper Andersen (DEN), Trident Racing, 1:32.836
4. Arturo Llobell (ESP), Cram Competition, 1:33.055
5. Michael Ammermueller (GER), Iris Project, 1:33.098
6. Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), Alan Racing, 1:33.107
7. Tim Sandtler (GER), ISR, 1:33.123
8. Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Famá, 1:33.159
9. Yuhi Sekiguchi (JAP), Euronova Racing, 1:33.242
10. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Cram Competition, 1:33.348
11. Carlos Iaconelli (BRA), Pro Motorsport, 1:33.371
12. Alberto Costa (ITA), Cram Competition, 1:33.422
13. Dominik Schraml (GER), Alan Racing, 1:33.509
14. Filip Salaquarda (CZH), ISR, 1:33.577
15. Josef Kral (CZH), Team JVA, 1:33.696
16. Federico Rossi (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:33.703
17. Michael Meadows (GBR), Euronova Racing, 1:33.713
18. Fabrizio Crestani (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:33.861
19. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), J.D. Motorsport, 1:33.936
20. Frankie Provenzano (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:34.096
21. Marcello Puglisi (ITA), Pro Motorsport, 1:34.166
22. Adam Khan (PAK), Alan Racing, 1:34.203
23. Matei Mihaescu (ROM), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:34.418
24. Michele Caliendo (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:34.607
25. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS), J.D. Motorsport, 1:34.728
