Russell on the top during first day of GP3 test in Budapest

The GP3 Series had its mid-season test at the Hungaroring ont he 6th and 7th of June before the second round of the season which will take place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria next month.

During the first day George Russell was the quickest in both session on the 4.4 km long track. He set the fastest laptime of 1:32.159. Dorian Boccolacci seemesd to be very good in Budapest as finished both sessions in top3. During the first session he was third behind the other ART driver Aitken, while in the afternoon session he improved one place forward.

As the medical staff was not fully ready by 9am, the morning session was delayed by an hour. Right after the session’s start, all the drivers went to the track to complete their installation laps. In the first 45 minutes only Tatiana Calderon set a laptime. When some minutes later Boccolacci finished his first fast laps he jumped to the top, until Russell arrived, who found some extra pace which was enough to move him to P1, only few tenth faster than Alessio Lorandi.

As the end of first session got closer, Russell kept improving his own best lap. For few minutes Boccolacci took the firstplace, but Russell did not want to leave it that easily, and got back his position soon. His teammate Jack Aitken improved and moved to the second place.

Arjun Maini, Santino Ferrucci, Alessio Lorandi, Raoul Hyman, Marcos Siebert, Nirei Fukuzumi and Anthoine Hubert completed in top 10.

When the second, afternoon session started Leonardo Pulcini went to the track to set his first laptimes. He could not enjoy the first place too long as Bruno Baptista arrived, and took the leadership. The session was stopped for a while, as Julien Falchero’s car stopped at the exit of Turn 5.

When the session restarted, the Red Bull Junior Niko Kari showed his quickness, which was enough for P1 until the Italian driver Alessio Lorandi did not beat his time.

One hour before the end, George Russell, proved his speed, and put his time under 1:33. Nothing could stop Russell in his improvement until a red flag. The session stopped again as Baptista’s car stopped at Turn 12. When the green lights went off again, Russell improved further and set his best lap of 1:32.332, followed by two Italians, namely Boccolacci and Lorandi.

Day 1 Morning results
 
Driver Team Laptime Laps

1. George Russell ART Grand Prix 1:32.159 31
2. Jack Aitken ART Grand Prix 1:32.654 28
3. Dorian Boccolacci Trident 1:32.680 22
4. Arjun Maini Jenzer Motorsport 1:32.765 30
5. Santino Ferrucci DAMS 1:32.811 34
6. Alessio Lorandi Jenzer Motorsport 1:32.864 32
7. Raoul Hyman Campos Racing 1:32.913 31
8. Marcos Siebert Campos Racing 1:33.014 33
9. Nirei Fukuzumi ART Grand Prix 1:33.056 20
10. Anthoine Hubert ART Grand Prix 1:33.273 30
11. Giuliano Alesi Trident 1:33.303 26
12. Ryan Tveter Trident 1:33.352 24
13. Kevin Jörg Trident 1:33.384 32
14. Leonardo Pulcini Arden International 1:33.694 24
15. Julien Falchero Campos Racing 1:33.721 32
16. Bruno Baptista DAMS 1:33.876 26
17. Tatiana Calderon DAMS 1:34.099 32
18. Steijn Schothorst Arden International 1:34.388 22
19. Niko Kari Arden International 1:34.609 20

Day 1 Afternoon results 


Driver Team Laptime Laps

1. George Russell ART Grand Prix 1:32.332 46
2. Dorian Boccolacci Trident 1:32.436 50
3. Alessio Lorandi Jenzer Motorsport 1:32.459 40
4. Jack Aitken ART Grand Prix 1:32.547 46
5. Santino Ferrucci DAMS 1:32.696 38
6. Arjun Maini Jenzer Motorsport 1:32.724 37
7. Nirei Fukuzumi ART Grand Prix 1:32.728 45
8. Marcos Siebert Campos Racing 1:32.997 37
9. Kevin Jörg Trident 1:33.019 38
10. Anthoine Hubert ART Grand Prix 1:33025 49
11. Leonardo Pulcini Arden International 1:33.075 34
12. Bruno Baptista DAMS 1:33.075 31
13. Ryan Tveter Trident 1:33.275 41
14. Steijn Schothorst Arden International 1:33.301 37
15. Giuliano Alesi Trident 1:33.320 37
16. Niko Kari Arden International 1:33.321 37
17. Julien Falchero Campos Racing 1:33.462 34
18. Tatiana Calderon DAMS 1:33.837 33
19. Raoul Hyman Campos Racing 1:35.680 23