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Two second row starts for Hi-Tech at Oulton |
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Saturday, 22 March 2008 |
Hitech Racing kicked off the opening event of the British F3 International Series with two second row positions in today’s qualifying for Monday’s first and second rounds. Rapid Austrian Walter Grubmüller and rising British star Max Chilton both held the pole position spot in the sessions before dropping to third and fourth ahead of the first race at the Cheshire track.
In second qualifying, both drivers once again dominated the early part of the session, Walter taking the early pole slot before Max took over. At the mid-way point 19 year-old Walter regained the top position until Jaime Alguersuari pushed him down to second. With ten minutes to go, waved yellow flags when Kristjan Einar beached his car at Hislops forced the drivers to slow down and the times looked set to stay until the closing minutes when Marcus Ericsson pushed Walter back to third. Sixteen year-old Max, the youngest driver on the 26-car grid, will line up on the third row in sixth after the session was brought to a premature finish. The Buckingham-based team remain optimistic ahead of Monday’s two races with Team Principal David Hayle full of praise for the performance of his two drivers. “I have to say I’m very happy with the performance of both drivers in the two sessions today. They have been consistently quick throughout testing and now, when it really matters, they’re still on the pace. The gap is not really a problem, as we know where the time is so we’re all fairly confident ahead of a good result from both Walter and Max in the races tomorrow.”
Walter Grubmüller: “I’m happy, we had no real problems although I could have gone quicker in the second session but I got held up. In the first session too I had a little problem with traffic but I’m confident about tomorrow. The first corner will be critical and as there are not many overtaking places, it’s very important to start high up on the grid. My aim will be to at least maintain position, anything above that will be a bonus.” Max Chilton: “To be honest I’m a little disappointed with fourth and sixth after the pre-season testing pace we’ve shown. I was held up in both sessions on my quickest laps and theoretically I should have been on pole for both races. Hopefully I can get a good start in both races and get away. My aim is to be first British driver home in each race.” Qualifying for Race 11. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin Motorsport Dallara F308 1:28.4412. Oliver Turvey Carlin Motorsport Dallara F308 1:28.5593. Walter Grubmüller Hitech Racing Dallara F308 Mercedes HWA 1:28.5654. Max Chilton Hitech Racing Dallara F308 Mercedes HWA 1:28.8745. Brendon Hartley Carlin Motorsport Dallara F308 1:28.8856. Sergio Perez T-Sport Dallara F308 1:28.941 Qualifying for Race 21. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin Motorsport Dallara F308 1:28.2742. Marcus Ericsson Fortec Motorsport Dallara F308 1:28.5163. Walter Grubmüller Hitech Racing Dallara F308 Mercedes HWA 1:28.8264. Brendon Hartley Carlin Motorsport Dallara F308 1:28.8745. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate Motorsport Mygale M-08F3 1:28.8786. Max Chilton Hitech Racing Dallara F308 Mercedes HWA 1:28.967
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 March 2008 )
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