ParcFerme.Com

With the start of the Lloyds TSB British Formula 3 Championship just over a month away, Sam Abay and the Carlin team have taken to the track in preparation for the 2008 season.  The youngster consistently lapped amongst the front runners at the first official test at the Pembrey circuit in Wales, recording the 2nd fastest time on Day 1 and the 5th fastest time on Day 2, as he comes to grips with the Formula 3 machine.

Billed by experts as featuring the most competitive driver line-up in the past 10 years of the championship, Abay is looking forward to making his debut.

The European based Australian who makes the jump to Formula 3 after two seasons in Formula BMW, sampled the Carlin Formula 3 car at Snetterton and Croft late last year, making an immediate impression by lapping under the 2007 pole position times at both circuits.

Team boss Trevor Carlin stated "Sam makes a big leap from Formula BMW to F3,

but his progress in testing so far has been very impressive."

"Our aim here at Pembrey was simply to get familiar with the F3 car and as a team we were obviously keen to see how set-up changes effect the new Dallara.  It's a lot different to the Formula BMW I've raced, but it's been quite easy to adapt.  However there's no substitute for seat-time and I'm at the start of a steep learning curve this year.   My focus in my first season of F3 is to consistently improve and get stronger as we gain experience." said Abay.

The 2008 Lloyds TSB British Formula 3 Championship starts at Oulton Park on March 24 and will visit Italy, Belgium and the Romanian capital Bucharest in the addition to the traditional British venues.

DAY 1 - Pembrey Test

1. Oliver Turvey (GBR) - 48.450s

2. Sam Abay (AUS) - 48.479s

3. Atte Mustonen (FIN) - 48.594s

4. Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) - 48.627s

5. Jonathan Kennard (GBR) - 48.671

6. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) - 48.777s

7. Brendon Hartley (NZL) - 48.807s

8. Sergio Perez (MEX) - 48.823s

9. Walter Grubmuller (AUT) - 48.991s

10. Max Chilton (GBR) - 49.171s

11. John Martin (AUS) - 49.173s

12. Andrew Meyrick (GBR) (N) - 49.379s

13. Alistair Jackson (IRL) - 49.428s

14. Salman Al-Khalifa (BHN) (N) - 49.461

15. Kristjan Einar (ISL) (N) - 49.481s

(N) - National Class

DAY 2 - Pembrey Test

1. Atte Mustonen (FIN) - 48.122s

2. Oliver Turvey (GBR) - 48.222s

3. Walter Grubmuller (AUT) - 48.257s

4. Max Chilton (GBR) - 48.273s

5. Sam Abay (AUS) - 48.494s

6. Jaime Alguersauri (ESP) - 48.522s

7. Sergio Perez (MEX) - 48.589s

8. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) - 48.626s

9. Brendon Hartley (NZL) - 48.639s

10. John Martin (AUS) - 48.646s

11. Henry Arundel (GBR) - 48.682s

12. Andrew Mayrick (GBR) (N) - 48.721s

13. Jonathan Kennard (GBR) - 48.726s

14. Nick Tandy (GBR) - 48.789s

15. Alistair Jackson (IRL) - 48.996s

(N) - National Class