French driver sets fastest time of the day, while Dennis Hauger leads afternoon session for MP Motorsport
Isack Hadjar of Campos Racing emerged as the driver to beat on the final day of post-season testing at Yas Marina Circuit. The Frenchman set the fastest time of the day, clocking in at 1:35.958 in the #21 car. Meanwhile, Dennis Hauger of MP Motorsport led the afternoon session with a time of 1:35.996, bringing the on-track action to a close for 2023.
Morning Session:
The morning session started with Juan Manuel Correa as the early pacesetter, recording times in the 1:37s. However, Jak Crawford of DAMS quickly surpassed Correa’s time, making it a DAMS 1-2 with a time of 1:36.551.
Franco Colapinto of MP Motorsport then took the lead, going just 0.090s faster than Crawford in the opening 20 minutes. Isack Hadjar, who had initially gone second fastest, soon outdid himself and claimed the top spot for Campos Racing with a time of 1:36.180.
The first Red Flag of the day was triggered by Zane Maloney of Rodin Carlin, causing a stoppage on the track. After a brief pause, the session resumed with just over two hours remaining.
Hadjar continued to improve his time, setting a new benchmark of 1:36.066. He then became the first driver to break into the 1:35s, solidifying his position in first place with a time of 1:35.958.
Two more Red Flags disrupted the session, caused by separate incidents on the first DRS straight between Turns 5 and 6. Oliver Bearman and Paul Aron were recovered, leaving over an hour and a half of the morning session.
The remaining part of the session saw few improvements in lap times, with drivers focusing on longer stints rather than single lap pace. Christian Mansell of Trident triggered the final Red Flag with 20 minutes to go, marking his first outing with the team.
With just 10 minutes left on the clock after the restart, no driver managed to break into the 35s alongside Hadjar. However, Rafael Villagómez of Van Amersfoort Racing remained the busiest, completing 55 laps.
Conclusion:
Isack Hadjar showcased his skill and speed on the final day of post-season testing at Yas Marina Circuit, claiming the fastest time of the day for Campos Racing. Dennis Hauger also impressed, leading the afternoon session for MP Motorsport. As the on-track action came to a close, the drivers and teams gained valuable insights and data to prepare for the upcoming season. The results of this testing session will undoubtedly shape the future of these talented drivers and their respective teams.
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