GB3 Red Bull Ring testing day 2 report: three key takeaways
- Rohan Brown
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The second day of pre-event testing for GB3 Round 4 at the Red Bull Ring has now concluded.
With so much happening, here are three key takeaways to consider ahead of Round 4 this weekend.
Nikita Bedrin sets the pace in GB3 (again)
Drivers’ championship leader and VRD Racing’s Nikita Bedrin topped the combined timing sheets for the day. His fastest lap time was a 1:24.525 seconds, around two-and-a-half tenths quicker than GB3 testing debutant Oliver Wheldon.
For the most informed driver in the series at the moment, being at the top of the leaderboards by a sizable margin is to be expected. Bedrin’s pace on day two is almost equal to that of 2023 Autosport BRDC award winner Daegen Fairclough’s lap times on day one.
For the VRD Racing driver, dialling this pace going into this weekend is what he will be looking for. After securing two podiums (including a win in race two) last time out in Hungary, the Italian has it all to gain but to lose as well - his main title rival Maxim Rehm was also on the pace, so whilst Bedrin may almost have one hand on the driver’s title, there is a lot that could happen.
Flynn Jackes off the pace
After finally securing his first race victory in GB3 after 49 races in the series, Flynn Jackes seems to be off the pace on this day of testing. The Elite Motorsport driver set a time which landed him 0.629 seconds off of Bedrin in first place.
Whilst being this far off of Bedrin’s remarkable pace, it may demonstrate that Jackes has a fair bit to focus on in order to consistently battle for positions further up the grid.
The Filipino driver is currently sixth in the drivers’ championship standings (most likely fifth after Round 4, pertaining to Jin Nakamura’s absence). He has proven himself to be a solid midfield driver.
Can Jackes fight for another win? The Red Bull Ring promises frequent edge-of-your seat racing, so it may just happen.
Oliver Wheldon impresses on debut
American driver Oliver Wheldon comes from a famous motorsport family, you may know his father, the late Dan Wheldon as a double Indy 500 winner - and his brother Sebastian races in the Formula Regional European Championship.
Focusing on his remarkable on-track efforts, Wheldon set a time fast enough to put him second place on the leaderboard, only 0.245s behind GB3’s current dominant force Bedrin.
Although Wheldon is too young to race in GB3, owing to being 15 years old (you have to be 16 to race in the championship). He has certainly set a lasting impression throughout the three testing sessions which took place on day two.
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