International Formula Master (IFM) began its final two-day test session yesterday at the Hungaroring, Hungary, with ISR's Erik Janis and Jenzer Motorsport's Fabio Leimer sharing the top spot.
Janis posted this morning's fastest time with a best lap of 1:38.317, ahead of Jenzer Motorsport's Pål Varhaug and Cram Competition's Alessandro Kouzkin, who completed their best laps in 1:38.317 and 1:38.391 respectively.
Leimer claimed the afternoon's and today's fastest time, climbing into the 1:37s with a best lap of 1:37.154. Times improved during the afternoon session with JD Motorsport team-mates Josef Kral and Sergey Afanasiev posting second and third fastest laps in 1:37.518 and 1:37.738.
Dutch driver Paul Meijer took to the track for a few installation laps ahead of his official test debut in Formula Master with AR Motorsport, whilst Pål Varhaug claimed the fastest rookie time of the day for Jenzer Motorsport with a 1:37.880 lap.
"We've had ups and downs during testing this year but this morning went really well," said Janis, who first competed in IFM in 2007 with Team ISR. "When we have a good set up, the car feels good, the team is good and everything falls into place. It's not easy to be at the front but it's definitely achievable.
"I drove in the Euroseries last year and it's nice to come back to Formula Master, the car is a lot nicer to drive."
Testing resumes tomorrow for the final pre-season test day, ahead of the first 2009 IFM rounds in Pau, France, on 16 and 17 May 2009.
Formula Master - Hungaroring official testing
Day One: morning
1. Erik Janis (CZH), ISR, 1:38.095
2. Pål Varhaug (NOR), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:38.317
3. Alessandro Kouzkin (RUS), Cram Competition, 1:38.391
4. Josef Kral (CZH), JD Motorsport, 1:38.566
5. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS), JD Motorsport, 1:38.592
6. Tiago Petiz (POR), Trident Racing, 1:38.871
7. Alexander Rossi (USA), Hitech Junior, 1:38.933
8. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), JD Motorsport, 1:39.097
9. Filip Salaquarda (CZH), ISR, 1:39.102
10. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:39.108
11. Mihai Marinescu (ROM), AR Motorsport, 1:39.120
12. Simon Trummer (SUI), Iris Project, 1:39.320
13. Patrick Reiterer (ITA), Iris Project, 1:41.267
14. Kelvin Snoeks (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:42.032
Formula Master - Hungaroring official testing
Day One: afternoon
1. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:37.154
2. Josef Kral (CZH), JD Motorsport, 1:37.518
3. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS), JD Motorsport, 1:37.738
4. Pål Varhaug (NOR), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:37.880
5. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), JD Motorsport, 1:37.882
6. Filip Salaquarda (CZH), ISR, 1:38.161
7. Alessandro Kouzkin (RUS), Cram Competition, 1:38.207
8. Mihai Marinescu (ROM), AR Motorsport, 1:38.295
9. Erik Janis (CZH), ISR, 1:38.425
10. Tiago Petiz (POR), Trident Racing, 1:38.452
11. Alexander Rossi (USA), Hitech Junior, 1:38.481
12. Simon Trummer (SUI), Iris Project, 1:38.722
13. Kelvin Snoeks (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:40.916
14. Paul Meijer (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:45.508
15. Patrick Reiterer (ITA), Iris Project, no time
Formula Master - Hungaroring official testing
Day One: overall
1. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:37.154
2. Josef Kral (CZH), JD Motorsport, 1:37.518
3. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS), JD Motorsport, 1:37.738
4. Pål Varhaug (NOR), Jenzer Motorsport, 1:37.880
5. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), JD Motorsport, 1:37.882
6. Erik Janis (CZH), ISR, 1:38.095
7. Filip Salaquarda (CZH), ISR, 1:38.161
8. Alessandro Kouzkin (RUS), Cram Competition, 1:38.207
9. Mihai Marinescu (ROM), AR Motorsport, 1:38.295
10. Tiago Petiz (POR), Trident Racing, 1:38.452
11. Alexander Rossi (USA), Hitech Junior, 1:38.481
12. Simon Trummer (SUI), Iris Project, 1:38.722
13. Kelvin Snoeks (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:40.916
14. Patrick Reiterer (ITA), Iris Project, 1:41.267
15. Paul Meijer (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:45.508
