IFM: Series Pau Friday morning notes

Track activities got under way this afternoon for the first 2009 International Formula Master (IFM) rounds in Pau, France, with the first of two free practice sessions taking place today.

Starting on wet tyres, the field of young IFM drivers familiarised themselves quickly with the French street circuit before changing to slick tyres as the weather improved within minutes.

Times began tumbling down with JD Motorsport's Sergey Afanasiev, Cram Competition's Harald Schlegelmilch and Jenzer Motorsport's Fabio Leimer sharing the top spot; although it was Leimer who eventually completed the fastest lap of the session in 1:13.318.

Schlegelmilch set the second quickest time of 1:13.795, ahead of Afanasiev's best lap of 1:13.871. Hitech Junior's Alexander Rossi was the top rookie for the best part of the session, running as high as first, and setting the ninth best lap of the session in 1:14.493.

The overall pace of the field was close, with one second covering the top 11 drivers. Free practice continues this afternoon with the second session scheduled for 17:10 local time.

-credit: ifm