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From GP3 press office
Friday, former Formula 1 World champion and Lotus driver, Kimi Raikkonen tested the GP3/13 car at Circuit de Catalunya as part of an official GP3 development test in preparation of the 2014 season.
This test was made possible thanks to the strong relationship between Raikkonen and GP3 team Koiranen GP. The Finn star stopped by the GP3 paddock in Nurburgring last month during the F1 Grand Prix weekend and was eager to get behind the wheel of the machine.
With an official development test happening this month, it was the perfect opportunity to have him drive the GP3/13 car and collect precious data for next season.
Today's testing programme was twofold: first to test the performance of the car on different tire compounds and secondly to conduct a development programme as requested by GP3 and Pirelli.
The purpose of this official test was to find technical solutions to offer more overtaking possibilities to the drivers for the 2014 races.
After a complete one day programme, Raikkonen covered 58 laps (270km) with a best laptime of 1m34.780 set at the end of the day. He gave invaluable feedback regarding the car's behaviour and the tires' performance and degradation which will definitely help improve the car for next season.
“I wanted to test the GP3/13 because my friend Afa Heikkinen has a team in this Series and I have been closely following their progress and results since the beginning of the season,” said Kimi Raikkonen.
“I was curious to see how the car handled and it was actually fun to drive. There were a few issues regarding its behaviour, but we managed to solve most of them. The GP3/13 is a very good tool for young drivers, especially when you have to learn about tire management like we have in F1,” he added.
Friday, former Formula 1 World champion and Lotus driver, Kimi Raikkonen tested the GP3/13 car at Circuit de Catalunya as part of an official GP3 development test in preparation of the 2014 season.
This test was made possible thanks to the strong relationship between Raikkonen and GP3 team Koiranen GP. The Finn star stopped by the GP3 paddock in Nurburgring last month during the F1 Grand Prix weekend and was eager to get behind the wheel of the machine.
 |
| Kimi Raikkonen testing the new GP3/13 car in Barcelona. (Photo: GP3 Series) |
With an official development test happening this month, it was the perfect opportunity to have him drive the GP3/13 car and collect precious data for next season.
Today's testing programme was twofold: first to test the performance of the car on different tire compounds and secondly to conduct a development programme as requested by GP3 and Pirelli.
The purpose of this official test was to find technical solutions to offer more overtaking possibilities to the drivers for the 2014 races.
 |
| Kimi Raikkonen testing the new GP3/13 car in Barcelona. (Photo: GP3 Series) |
After a complete one day programme, Raikkonen covered 58 laps (270km) with a best laptime of 1m34.780 set at the end of the day. He gave invaluable feedback regarding the car's behaviour and the tires' performance and degradation which will definitely help improve the car for next season.
“I wanted to test the GP3/13 because my friend Afa Heikkinen has a team in this Series and I have been closely following their progress and results since the beginning of the season,” said Kimi Raikkonen.
“I was curious to see how the car handled and it was actually fun to drive. There were a few issues regarding its behaviour, but we managed to solve most of them. The GP3/13 is a very good tool for young drivers, especially when you have to learn about tire management like we have in F1,” he added.
 |
| Kimi Raikkonen testing the new GP3/13 car in Barcelona. (Photo: GP3 Series) |