Kvyat fastest in opening practice in Budapest

The 45 minute free practice session got underway with a track temperature of 40 degrees as the 27 drivers ventured onto the Hungaroring circuit in sweltering conditions. Bamboo Engineering’s Lewis Williamson headed the que of drivers eager to put an early installation lap in.

Williamson and ART Grand Prix’s Conor Daly were first to head the timings until Kvyat claimed P1 with a laptime in the early 1m35’s. After the first 15 minutes, the majority of drivers returned to the pits, making set-up changes and some opting for fresh Pirelli rubber.

Koiranen GP’s Aaro Vainio was first to dip into the 1m34’s barrier, a tenth quicker than Kvyat, with Williamson, Alex Fontana (Jenzer Motorsport) and Melville McKee (Bamboo Engineering) completing the top five at the midway point.

There was a small spin for Samin Gomez (Jenzer Motorsport) which was covered by the yellow flags as she was able to continue. Vainio continued to up his pace, improving on his best time by six thousandths of a second to increase his advantage. Kvyat lit the first sector in purple, the Russian on a mission and he shot back to the top of the timesheet.

Williamson became the first driver to break into the 1m33’s, lapping almost a second quicker than the MW Arden driver. Trident’s Giovanni Venturini jumped up to P2 until Daly demoted the Italian, recording a time just one tenth off Williamson.

Carmen Jorda (Bamboo Engineering) spun in the final moments but re-joined the track as Kvyat clocked the quickest time of the session in the final minute. At the chequered flag it was Kvyat, Williamson, Daly, Jack Harvey, Robert Visoiu, Venturini, Facu Regalia, David Fumanelli, Vainio and Fontana completed the top 10.

Qualifying takes place at 09.45 CET tomorrow morning, who will get the vital four points for pocketing pole?

GP3 Series