Abay quickest at Thruxton test

Carlin’s F3 rookie Sam Abay set the fastest time at today’s official British F3 test at Thruxton, one of five Carlin drivers to finish the day in the top ten. Hampered by the bad weather that seems to have plagued the series so far this season, the teams had little respite from the rain before the second test session was abandoned due to poor weather conditions.

Taking to the wet track for the first session of the day, Croft race winner Brendon Hartley was the top Carlin driver, just ahead of fellow Red Bull driver Jaime Alguersuari and Sam Abay in sixth. Racing Steps Foundation driver Oliver Turvey set the eighth fastest time of the morning, with Andy Meyrick the fastest of the National Class runners. Kristjan Einar continued his learning curve on the British circuits, setting the fourth quickest National Class time.

With the rain easing before the afternoon session and the track drying slightly, the start of the afternoon saw the fastest times of the test. Sam Abay set the quickest time of the day 11 laps into his session, while Turvey also made improvements to set the third fastest time. Alguersuari was fifth, ahead of Meyrick in seventh, who was again setting times close to the top International Class runners. Brendon Hartley completed the top ten, while Kristjan Einar was the fourth fastest of the National Class drivers.

As track conditions deteriorated due to heavy rain, the session was ended over an hour early.

Speaking about the test Abay said, “The morning session was ok, it was wet throughout, and we didn’t change that much on the car. In the afternoon, we made a couple of changes to the set-up and I knew I could make improvements under braking. A few laps into the session there was even a dry line emerging in some sections of the track, which is when I was able to set my best time. Unfortunately it then started to rain very heavily and it was just too dangerous to continue."