Stoneman Finishes Barcelona Test Fastest
Circuit de Barcelona-Cataluña, Spain, Wednesday 16th Thursday 17th April 2014. Dean Stoneman finished the official two-day test with the Marussia Manor Racing GP3 team with a fastest afternoon session time in preparation for the seasons opening two rounds 10/11 May.
Both days testing were run in warm sunny conditions as work continued to fine-tune the car further for the 23-year old. The sessions comprised of both race and qualifying runs to an attempt to fully prepare the 2010 F2 Champion for a successful GP3 campaign.
Stoneman’s race pace was impressive over the two test days, but it was during the final afternoon qualifying format session in the warm Cataluña sun that the Southampton based driver produced the fastest lap with a time of 1.36.312
Stoneman who flagged his intentions for the coming season was joined in Barcelona by leading motorsport engineer Peter Berry who has successfully worked with many leading drivers, many now in F1 including Daniel Ricciardo. As well as Berry, experienced racer and driver coach Kelvin Burt worked with Stoneman to maximise the test which certainly contributed to Stoneman’s successful two days.
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Stoneman reflected on the two-day test. “ We have worked really hard to make a big step forward with the car and it worked. It was great to have Peter (Berry) on board. He is an experienced engineer and his expertise really helped us understand the car better. I’m really looking forward to working with him and Kelvin (Burt).” He added: “With us racing here in a few weeks it was vital that we were on the pace. I’m really confident now that we have a package to be competitive this year. ”
Stoneman will now prepare for the first race of the GP3 season 10/11 May in Barcelona, part of the F1 race programme for the Spanish Grand Prix.
For more information:
Ant Shaw
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0044 (0)7768 275464