Eurocup-3 hits the track for the first time in Valencia test

Photo: Eurocup-3

The new Formula Regional-based Eurocup-3 series revealed its car and embarked on its first official track action at Valencia Ricardo Tormo on Tuesday as part of a two-day test.

Eurocup-3 plans to race in five European countries this year using a modified version of Tatuus’s T-318 FRegional car. What distinguishes it is a bodykit inspired by Formula 1 aerodynamics to be more aero-efficient, and a tuned-up version of the Alfa Romeo-branded Autotecnica engine that several FRegional series use. These changes will make the car lighter than a standard FRegional car too.

Tuesday was split into two test sessions, and MP Motorsport’s Sebastian Ogaard was fastest in the first.

He set a 1m29.061s lap to set the pace by 0.152 seconds over Campos Racing’s Esteban Masson, whose team-mate Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak was a further 0.305s behind in third.

Drivex School’s Nick Gilkes and MP’s Jose Garfias were only marginally slower than Inthraphuvasak, and the top nine were covered by a second on pace.

There were 13 cars on track in the morning, but 14 drivers in the afternoon as Gilkes shared his car with Drivex’s new driver coach Pierre-Louis Chovet.

Everyone improved their pace in the second session, and Masson led the way with a 1m28.302s lap.

He was over half a second faster than Javier Sagrera in second place, with the Spaniard driving for the new Palou Motorsport team that has been launched by 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou.

The team was also running Miron Pingasov, but is yet to announce any signings of Eurocup-3’s inaugural season.

Campos’s Francesco Braschi was third fastest in the afternoon session, 0.546s off the pace, with Ogaard 0.016s further behind in fourth.

Testing continues tomorrow, and the opening round of the season takes place at Spa-Francorchamps on May 5-7.

Day one results