Carlin on the pace at Monza

10 September 2010

Carlin's GP3 team made a strong start to the last race weekend of the season today, in free practice at the Monza circuit in Italy. Josef Newgarden demonstrated his growing ability as his finished the session second quickest, while Dean Smith was also on the pace and was fifth quickest.

Today's official practice took place in hot and sunny conditions and unusually for a GP3 practice session featured few incidents and only a couple of yellow flags. The 30 minute session was the first experience of the Monza circuit for all three Carlin drivers. Dean Smith got off to a good start and was second quickest in the opening stages, while Newgarden was close behind and was third on the timing screens.

Making the most of the 30 minute session, the drivers spent little time in the pits, but a quick stop in the second half of the session allowed the team to make some minor adjustments.

While Smith and Newgarden were perfecting their set-up, team mate Lucas Foresti spent his session reacquainting himself with the GP3 car, having missed the last two rounds due to his British F3 commitments.

Having dropped slightly down the order while in the pits, both Smith and Newgarden were back on track for the final minutes of the session. Newgarden was one of few drivers to improve in the final stages and went second quickest on his final lap- just 0.161 seconds behind pace setter and championship leader Esteban Gutierrez. Smith meanwhile also finished the session among the front runners and was fourth in the final minutes, but dropped to fifth in the dying seconds. Foresti meanwhile finished the 23rd.

Reflecting on his first experience of the Monza circuit, Newgarden said, "We had a really good day today, but to be honest I feel like its been the same pace we've had every weekend, but this time it came together for us and we were able to show it on the timing screens. I think we have a good package - as we always do. We just need to put everything together and have a good weekend. This is just practice; we need to make it count tomorrow in qualifying.

Speaking about the circuit, Newgarden added, "The first two chicanes are fantastic, in fact you can't even talk about this circuit corner by corner. The whole is place is fantastic. It's really great to drive and I can't wait for the races."

The team will be back on track for the final qualifying session of the season tomorrow at 08.45 local time.