Felix got his first taste of the 3.9 km Moscow Raceway as Friday free practice got proceedings underway for the FIA Formula 3 European Championship’s maiden foray into Russia.
Racking up a total of 40 laps, Felix completed a trouble-free programme of running behind the wheel of his Mücke Motorsport-Dallara in cold and windy conditions, gradually upping the pace to eventually end up seventh on the timesheets – less than half a second shy of early pace-setter Tom Blomqvist (Carlin).
The top ten were covered by less than six tenths of a second, setting the stage for a thrilling qualifying session later this afternoon.
The start of practice was delayed for 15 minutes as the emergency helicopter – required to air-lift drivers to hospital in case of an accident – was yet to arrive at the circuit as running was meant to commence. Action was later red-flagged twice following offs from Tatiana Calderón (Jo Zeller Racing) and Hector Hurst (Team West-Tec) over the blind crest at the ultra-quick Turn 7.
Qualifying for the first race of the weekend is scheduled to start at 16.50 local time, although the event programme is currently running to a 30-minute delay.
FELIX:
“I like the circuit. It’s quite technical, particularly in Sector 2, with some sweeping bends that require you to think a little bit outside the box. Practice went OK for us and we seem to be close to the pace. There are a couple of things we need to work on before qualifying, as always, but I’m relatively happy and looking forward to this afternoon.”
RESULTS
| Pos. | No | Driver | Laps | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | Tom Blomqvist / GBR Jagonya Ayam with Carlin | 19 | 1:26.969 | |
| 2 | 25 | Antonio Fuoco / ITA Prema Powerteam | 22 | 1:27.150 | 00.181 |
| 3 | 2 | Esteban Ocon / FRA Prema Powerteam | 23 | 1:27.243 | 00.274 |
| 4 | 5 | Jordan King / GBR Carlin | 19 | 1:27.345 | 00.376 |
| 5 | 3 | Lucas Auer / AUT kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport | 22 | 1:27.355 | 00.386 |
| 6 | 28 | Jake Dennis / GBR Carlin | 20 | 1:27.370 | 00.401 |
| 7 | 27 | Felix Rosenqvist / SWE kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport | 21 | 1:27.427 | 00.458 |
| 8 | 30 | Max Verstappen / NED Van Amersfoort Racing | 17 | 1:27.463 | 00.494 |
| 9 | 15 | Jules Szymkowiak / NED Van Amersfoort Racing | 21 | 1:27.578 | 00.609 |
| 10 | 26 | Dennis van de Laar / NED Prema Powerteam | 21 | 1:27.697 | 00.728 |
| 11 | 16 | Gustavo Menezes / USA Van Amersfoort Racing | 22 | 1:27.743 | 00.774 |
| 12 | 1 | Nicholas Latifi / CAN Prema Powerteam | 20 | 1:27.926 | 00.957 |
| 13 | 4 | Roy Nissany / ISR kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport | 19 | 1:27.988 | 01.019 |
| 14 | 21 | Félix Serrallés / USA Team West-TecF3 | 20 | 1:28.026 | 01.057 |
| 15 | 19 | Antonio Giovinazzi / ITA Jagonya Ayam with Carlin | 20 | 1:28.046 | 01.077 |
| 16 | 18 | Tatiana Calderón / COL Jo Zeller Racing | 15 | 1:28.200 | 01.231 |
| 17 | 29 | Santino Ferrucci / USA Eurointernational | 20 | 1:28.200 | 01.231 |
| 18 | 20 | Sean Gelael / INA Jagonya Ayam with Carlin | 17 | 1:28.219 | 01.250 |
| 19 | 22 | Hector Hurst / GBR Team West-TecF3 | 18 | 1:28.899 | 01.930 |
| 20 | 8 | Michele Beretta / ITA Eurointernational | 22 | 1:29.173 | 02.204 |