2022 GB3 champion Luke Browning has started preparations for his second FIA F3 campaign in ideal fashion by setting the fastest time of the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
The British driver, who won the Macau Grand Prix at the end of last year, posted his best effort towards the end of the day for Hitech Pulse-Eight, just pipping 2023 GB3 runner-up Alex Dunne to top spot in his MP Motorsport machine by 0.066 seconds. Dunne had topped the first session of the week yesterday, held in wet conditions.
In an encouraging day for GB3 alumni, Hitech’s Cian Shields was also inside the top-10 in the afternoon session, with Jenzer’s Max Esterson just outside it in 11th, with both within a second of the pace.
Reigning GB3 champion Callum Voisin completed the top-20 for Rodin Motorsport as he acclimates to his new challenge, with fellow race-winners Tommy Smith (Van Amersfoort) and teammate Joseph Loake in 21st and 23rd places respectively, as Loake completed just his second day of running in the FIA F3 car.
Christian Mansell, a GB3 race winner in 2021, was also in action as he prepares for his second campaign in F3.
Meanwhile, a number of GB3 alumni were also testing FIA F2 machinery in Bahrain.
2020 series runner-up Kush Maini has been in impressive form as he gears up for his second F2 campaign, and having topped the times in Monday’s first session for Invicta Racing, was fifth quickest in the afternoon running.
2021 champion Zak O’Sullivan moves up to FIA F2 after taking the runner-up spot in F3 last year, and has also shown a decent turn of speed for ART GP. Having been sixth fastest overall on Sunday, he ended Monday with the seventh best time.
Meanwhile Ollie Bearman, touted as a likely title contender in his second F2 season with PREMA Racing, has also been around the top-10 so far, with each driver adapting to the brand new F2 car for 2024.
Pre-season testing for both FIA F3 and F2 continues tomorrow (Tuesday).