The GP3 Series heads to Silverstone this week for the final two days of pre-season testing before the season begins next month in Barcelona. After testing in Portugal and Spain, this is the last opportunity for the teams to gain vital information on set-up and to gain as much knowledge on their cars before the hectic race schedule kicks off in Spain.
The test promises to be challenging for all the drivers with typically British weather expected, so the teams have a high chance of some wet running which will be valuable information after only dry conditions after the first two pre-season tests.
As the season approaches, most teams have now completed their line-ups but there will be one new face hoping to make a positive impression. Status Grand Prix will have British female racer Alice Powell testing and she will be making her first appearance in a GP3 car, alongside newly signed Kotaro Sakurai.
There will be 25 drivers testing on day one with Ocean Racing Technology’s Kevin Ceccon driving for the Portuguese squad for the first time since he was announced with the team at the weekend.
John Wartique will again be testing for Atech CRS GP along with Hungarian Tamas Pal Kiss who recently signed a contract with the British outfit. Antonio Felix Da Costa, fastest man on day two of the Barcelona test has now been confirmed at Carlin and he will be joined again by the familiar face of William Buller, who has yet to sign with a team for 2012.
Jenzer Motorsport and Trident Racing will have two drivers each for day one of the test, whilst the line-ups of Lotus GP, MW Arden and Marussia Manor Racing remain unchanged and as per the official drivers for 2012.
The schedule for day one - Wednesday 11th April Test Day One: 09-00 – 12.00 (Morning session) 14.00 – 17.00 (Afternoon session). Day Two Thursday 12th April: 09.00 – 12.00 (Morning) 13.00 – 16.00 (Afternoon). There is just a one hour lunch break on Thursday.
Please note RSC Mucke Motorsport will not attend this test.
Entry List Wednesday 11th April 2012 - Silverstone
Lotus GP
1. Daniel Abt
2. Conor Daly
3. Aaro Vainio
MW Arden
4. Mitch Evans
5. David Fumanelli
6. Matias Laine
Marussia Manor Racing
7. Dmitry Suranovich
8. Fabiano Machado
9. Tio Ellinas
Status Grand Prix
14. Marlon Stockinger
15. Kotaro Sakurai
16. Alice Powell
Ocean Racing Technology
17. Kevin Ceccon
18. Carmen Jorda
19. Robert Cregan
Jenzer Motorsport
20. Robert Visoiu
21. Patric Niederhauser
22. -
Trident Racing
23. Vicky Piria
24. Antonio Spavone
25. -
Carlin
26. Alex Brundle
27. Antonio Felix Da Costa
28. William Buller
Atech CRS GP
29. Tamas Pal Kiss
30. John Wartique
31. Ethan Ringel