Hillspeed’s Dante Vinci made a promising start to life in GB3, as he stepped up from Formula 4 level for the first time at the Silverstone opener.
The Australian had impressed in pre-season testing with frequent top-10 results, including setting the third fastest time at Snetterton and second on day one of the Donington Park media day test.
Having also been inside the top-10 in pre-event testing, an end qualifying result of two 16th fastest times across the two sessions was perhaps below expectations, but the 17-year-old already reckons he knows where he can improve next time out.
“Testing was quite strong, but I think there’s a little bit of room to play with on my side, especially in qualifying,” he summarised when looking back on the season opener.
“I won’t say what it is, but there was something that could have put us where we should have been the entire weekend. In racing, qualifying makes a big difference, and if you don’t have a good qualifying you’re going to struggle a little bit during the weekend, which is kind of where it [Silverstone] was.”
Nevertheless, Vinci still salvaged two points-scoring finishes, including a drive to 13th from 15th on the grid in race three.
“It was damage limitation but the last race was quite decent and I think we can take away a lot of positives learning wise from this weekend,” he added.
“With the amount of testing we’ve had, I think I’ve gotten used to the car, so now it’s just implementing the race craft and ideas learned from my previous years. I think I did pretty well racing wise, it’s just the quali that makes the big difference.”
Spa-Francorchamps is the next venue on the GB3 calendar at the end of the month, and while he has GB3 testing experience at the legendary Belgian venue, he’s yet to race there. He’s looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“We did a two day test last year but that’s all the experience I have there. We’ll see how it goes with the longer gear ratios, but it should be real fun because Spa is a real racing track with some immense corners, so I’m looking forward to it.”