9:00am Monday 1st March 2010
JAMES Calado enjoyed an encouraging debut in the international motorsport arena when he tested his new Formula 3 car for the first time.
Worcestershire’s Calado, 21, was on a two-day test session at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk for the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series, the 30-race championship for the Grand Prix stars of tomorrow.
Following success in junior single-seaters, including the Formula Renault UK series which he was runner-up in last season, Calado has stepped up to F3 with reigning champion team Carlin with backing from the talent-spotting Racing Steps Foundation.
The Pershore driver was in his element at Snetterton in wet weather conditions, topping the timesheets all day.
He pipped his new Carlin team-mate, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, to the honour of best time of the day by a three-10th margin.
Calado said: “We made a really good start. I’m pleased.
“The car felt great and we were very consistent, which is always a positive sign.
“It’s a pity it was wet as that tends to hold you back a little bit but we still made good progress.”
The weather improved the next day but Calado lost his grip on top spot and ended fifth overall, just over a 10th of a second behind the pace-setter, Japan’s Daisuke Nakajima.
The opening rounds of the series are scheduled for Oulton Park, Cheshire, on April 3, 4 and 5.
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