The final pre-season test concluded in Silverstone today before the GP3 Series heads to Barcelona next month to kick start the 2012 season. The session got underway under dark clouds on a chilly morning at a slippery circuit which was declared wet at the start of the test. Maxim Zimin stepped into the Jenzer Motorsport and was fastest for the first hour until Tio Ellinas in his Marussia Manor Racing car took control of the timesheets. The morning test was eventful: five red flags occurred with several drivers getting caught out in the tricky conditions.
Antonio Felix Da Costa went top as the times continued to improve on a drying track as the drivers switched from wet tyres to slicks. Aaro Vainio then shot to P1 as the session was red flagged when Kotaro Sakurai spun off into the gravel. Ocean Racing Technologys Robert Cregan suffered a technical issue when he was forced to stop on the circuit, giving a premature end to his morning test.
The position at the top of the timings then changed numerous times before Felix Da Costa regained his place back at the head of the standings. Conor Daly and Ellinas jumped up to P2 and P3 ahead of William Buller who was confirmed as driving for Carlin for 2012 this morning. David Fumanelli, Marlon Stockinger, Vainio, Daniel Abt, Matias Laine and Kevin Ceccon completed the top ten.
Following the one hour lunch break, it was the fastest man from day one, Mitch Evans who set the early pace in the afternoon. The New Zealander quickly improved on his best time from yesterday by a tenth of a second setting a lap of 150.150. Buller then made a trip into the gravel, thus causing a halt to proceedings. As the rest of the drivers concentrated on long runs and some pitstop practice, Laine had a quick spin, therefore a red flag arose. Within the final forty-five minutes, the rain began to lightly fall, as the session came to a close with Evans heading the pack again. Robert Visiou was a late addition to the top ten and went P2 in the dying stages ahead of Vainio, Fumanelli, Abt, Ellinas, Stockinger, Daly, Laine and Alex Brundle.
Mitch Evans sets the pace again at test in Silverstone
- Published on 13 Apr 2012 08:19
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Verstappen Makes His Choice: Fifth Title Over Le Mans Victory Every TimeMax Verstappen has been spending considerable time at the Nurburgring lately, and his passion for endurance racing is...
22 Apr 2026 18:25 -
Leclerc Says He Can Win the World Championship With Ferrari This SeasonCharles Leclerc is not being cautious about his ambitions. After two podiums in the first three races and third place...
22 Apr 2026 17:23 -
Norris Reveals He Struggled With Mental Problems During His Title-Winning SeasonLando Norris has spoken openly about a period of real self-doubt during his world championship season, the year he he...
22 Apr 2026 16:21 -
Hill Says Hamilton Has Accepted the End Is Approaching: "The Things That Used to Come Naturally No Longer Work the Same Way"Lewis Hamilton is back on the podium and back in the conversation at Ferrari, but Damon Hill sees something different...
22 Apr 2026 15:18 -
The Rule Changes May Actually Benefit Antonelli More Than Anyone ElseWhen Formula 1 announced its regulatory tweaks for Miami, most observers assumed the target was slowing Mercedes down...
22 Apr 2026 14:17
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Team profile
- Team name Manor Motorsport
- Base Dinnington, United Kingdom
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Rio Haryanto 88
- Pascal Wehrlein 94
- 18,983 comments on Manor Motorsport
3 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Manor Motorsport
Replies (0)
Login to reply