IFM: Series Valencia afternoon test notes 2009-03-01

LEIMER FASTEST OVERALL ON FIRST OFFICIAL 2009 TEST DAY

2008 Formula Master Vice-Champion, Fabio Leimer, set the fastest lap time in Valencia, Spain, today for the Series' first official 2009 test day, with a best lap of 1:26.585.

Returning to the Series with Jenzer Motorsport, Leimer posted the fastest overall time 0.64 seconds ahead of Erik Janis' best lap of 1:27.234 for ISR. Today saw three different teams claim the top three times with JD Motorsport's Josef Kral posting a third fastest lap of 1:27.384, which was also this morning's best lap.

Today marked the first Formula Master single-seater outing with 2009 update kits, sporting new engine covers and redesigned rear wings as well as air brake ducts and new exhaust systems 4-2-1 combined with new engine software.

Several new drivers took to the track today, including Henry Surtees, son of legendary British Formula 1 driver John Surtees, with Team JVA, alongside team-mate Zoel Amberg. Italian Patrick Reiterer also took part for Iris Project.

Surtees posted the longest distance for the day, completing a total of 111 laps, and contributing significantly to the drivers' overall lap total. Testing resumes tomorrow for the second of this week's two-day test in Valencia.

Fabio Leimer, Jenzer Motorsport

"The 2009 update gives a very good step up to power in low and mid revs. It makes it easier to go round in slow corners. I got a good feeling from the car; it's funny to drive and more of a challenge. There's no big difference in higher revs but on short ratios, you feel the power more. The car is more difficult to drive now so it will make a bigger difference between drivers."

-credit: ifm