It was a very unusual day on Albacete track as Day 3 starting under the snow, delaying the start of the practice for the new drivers. One very expected appearance was the one of Enaam Ahmed, reigning World Karting Champion who started his 2015 season by jumping in the F4-T014. Nikita Troistskiy and Artem Kabakov joined today alonside Vladimir Atoev and Ivan Matveev. The latest having competed in single-seaters in 2014 signing a podium on his maiden year on Imola’s track. Completing this wednesday line-up was the Finn Niko Kari.
The first run of the day was completed on wet Hankook Venture Formula tyres, with Niko Kari showing his skills on tricky conditions, signing the best time by far to his pursuants.
But when the track dried, the times closed up and it was Vladimir Atoev who took back the commands of the pack, leading them in 1.32,27, with Niko Kari second, and Enaam Ahmed, only three tenths off the Finn on his first day of test, Nikita Troitskiy completing the top 4.
Artem Kabakov had been surprised by the changing conditions and went to gravel. « It was very very tricky. These mixed conditions are really hard to deal with. But this is actually where you learn the most. Now I know what I cannot do ! » says the Russian with philosophy.
The last session of the day was on new slick tyres, but the hail and snow came to spice up everything. It was Niko Kari who nailed the fastest time in 1.29,75 as it was the last run of his three days of test in Albacete.
ENAAM AHMED
« I should not have backed off so much when the hail started, I have the feeling that I have done a good job with the used tyres but wasn’t able to maximize the use of my new set ».
IVAN MATVEEV
« It was a very good day ! I am happy to be back in a racing car, but it was not easy to get the feeling back ».
The last day of test will start tomorrow at 10am, if the weather allows us to do so.