Round 4 of the GP3 Series opened with a rain soaked Silverstone for Free Practice and it was Antonio Felix Da Costa who set the early pace to finish P1 with a laptime of 2:11.463.

The heavens opened up over the circuit as the drivers took to the track for their installation laps and it was MW Arden’s David Fumanelli who was first out. As the rain poured down throughout the session it gave the drivers their first opportunity to run with the Pirelli wet tyres and test their limits ahead of qualifying tomorrow morning.

With the treacherous conditions, visibility was very poor for the 27 drivers with the vast amount of spray, thus creating a lively session with many drivers finding themselves spinning and some having a premature end to their free practice.

Atech CRS GP driver Tamas Pal Kiss topped the timesheets largely for the most part with Felix Da Costa, Alex Brundle (Carlin) and Mitch Evans (MW Arden) in pursuit. There were several drivers who ended up beeched in the gravel including Alice Powell, David Fumanelli and Robert Visoiu who had to return to the pits on foot.

Felix Da Costa grabbed P1 from the Hungarian until Evans took over at the top of the standings. Pal Kiss then shot to the head of the timings with Jenzer Motorsport’s Patric Niederhauser rising to second in the final moments. With ten seconds remaining on the clock, it was Felix Da Costa who went quickest by 0.373s, with Pal Kiss second, ahead of Evans, Niederhauser, Aaro Vainio (Lotus GP) and Conor Daly (Lotus GP). Kevin Ceccon saved his best efforts until the chequered flag was due to drop as he jumped up to P7, in front of Marlon Stockinger (Status Grand Prix), Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor Racing) and Brundle.

Qualifying takes place Saturday at 08.30 am.