Kimilainen tops W Series FP1, Visser hit by issue at Brands Hatch

Photo: LAT Images

Emma Kimilainen topped the first W Series free practice session in drying conditions at Brands Hatch, as Beitske Visser ended up slowest after running into problems.

Assen winner Kimilainen dominated the session, repeatedly setting fastest laps around the Grand Prix layout of the circuit, and although Jamie Chadwick went fastest on her last lap, the Finnish driver immediately took it back.

Her fastest time of 1m33.427s was 0.421s faster than Chadwick’s best attempt and a second faster than Sarah Moore in third.

Jessica Hawkins was fourth fastest with a time of 1m34.741s, good enough to put her ahead of Alice Powell in fifth.

Esmee Hawkey made it five Britons in the top six behind her, with Lichtenstein driver Fabienne Wohlwend, Vicky Piria, Marta Garcia and Gosia Rdest rounding out the top ten.

Chadwick’s sole title rival Visser ended up 20th and last with a 1m42.073s lap, but that was set early on in the wetter conditions, before she was left pit-bound with a suspected electrical issue. Japan’s Miki Koyama was also held back by a technical issue.

Reserve drivers Sarah Bovy and Vivien Keszthelyi, who will both return to the racing line-up for the season finale, were 11th and 17th fastest.

Free Practice results