Jerez Day 3: Ricciardo and Red Bull Finish Jerez Testing on Top

Daniel Ricciardo for Red Bull finished the young driver testing in Jerez on top as he recorded the best time of the week. He is therefore the undisputed leader of the time sheet. The Australian completed 77 laps on the Spanish circuit and set the pace with a time of 1:17.418s.

It was not as simple for the British F3 champion as his workday was interrupted at the very beginning when a large column of smoke appeared at the rear of his car. He stopped at the exit of the chicane, and the session was even halted.

The Briton Paul di Resta continued his good week of testing with the second fastest time at the wheel of the Force India VJM02. He also encountered problems during his half-day run. A spin into the gravel at the chicane early in the afternoon required the red flags to be deployed. The same happened 90 minutes later when his car stalled at the same spot just after the DTM driver had refueled.

Gary Paffett (McLaren) and Mike Conway (Brawn GP) finished third and fourth. Both had half a day of testing. Nico Hülkenberg’s Williams and Bertrand Baguette’s Sauber placed behind them. The Belgian driver managed to find a second seat three days after Renault. He improved his best time on several occasions during the last hour.

The Brit, Oliver Turvey, posted an impressive third-fastest time this morning. He was driving with McLaren, but was moved to seventh place by the end of the day. The reason: better conditions in the afternoon.

Marcus Ericsson’s Brawn, Lucas di Grassi’s Renault, and JR Hildebrand’s Force India complete the top 10, although the American missed the chance to do better with new tires due to electronic issues with his car.

As in 2008, Ferrari did a favor for the top three drivers of the Italian F3 championship. Mexican Pablo Sanchez was the last of the three to venture onto the circuit, but he was the fastest, finishing in 11th place. Daniel Zampieri, who placed thirteenth, was the first to go out but caused a red flag when he ended up in the gravel at the chicane right at the start. Marco Zipoli is 13th.

Finally, Toro Rosso made the decision to let Mirko Bortolotti drive quite late in the morning. He then handed over to Brendon Hartley. The modest Chinese driver, Tung, was only able to complete four laps today for Renault, and as a result, is in last place.

Results Private Tests Jerez – Day 3 – Thursday December 3, 2009: