{"id":30683,"date":"2025-02-21T05:09:34","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T10:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=30683"},"modified":"2025-02-21T05:09:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T10:09:34","slug":"f3-pre-season-testing-day-2-nikola-tsolov-sets-the-pace-in-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/02\/21\/f3-pre-season-testing-day-2-nikola-tsolov-sets-the-pace-in-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"F3 Pre-Season Testing Day 2: Nikola Tsolov Sets the Pace in Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the second day of the 2025 FIA Formula 3<\/a> pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Nikola Tsolov of Campos Racing emerged as the standout performer.<\/p>\n

FIA Formula 3 Pre-Season Testing – Day 2 Report<\/h2>\n

Nikoa Tsolov set the fastest time in the morning and afternoon sessions of F3 pre-season testing<\/a> ahead of the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

The Bulgarian driver demonstrated impressive consistency and speed, strengthening his position as a strong contender for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n

Morning Session Highlights<\/h3>\n

The morning session commenced with over a third of the 30-car field heading out promptly, eager to maximise track time.<\/p>\n

ART Grand Prix<\/a>‘s Tuuka Taponen set the initial benchmark with a lap time of 1:28.879, leading his teammate James Wharton by 0.376 seconds.<\/p>\n

Rodin Motorsport’s Sharp and Voisin followed closely, with Tsolov and AIX Racings’s newly announced driver Nicola Marinangeli<\/a> also within a second of the early pace.<\/p>\n

Trident’s strategic decision to delay their initial runs allowed them to capitalise on clearer track conditions.<\/p>\n

Noah Stromsted made an immediate impact, posting a 1:27.714, propelling him to the top of the timesheets – 0.581 seconds ahead of his teammate Rafael C\u00e2mara.<\/p>\n

As the session progressed, Taponen reclaimed the lead with a 1:26.838, narrowly edging out his teammate Laurens van Hoepen by 0.042 seconds.<\/p>\n

However, it was Tsolov who dominated the morning.<\/p>\n

With a blistering lap of 1:26.618, he secured the fastest time, demonstrating both his and Campos Racing’s effective adaptation to the new Dallara F3 2025 chassis.<\/p>\n

A brief red flag interruption occurred when DAMS’ Lacorte stopped on track at Turn 8. However, the session resumed promptly, concluding with Tsolov leading Taponen and Stromsted.<\/p>\n

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE<\/strong>: F3 Pre-Season Testing Day 1: Teams Adapt to New Car in Barcelona<\/a><\/p>\n

Afternoon session Highlights<\/h3>\n

Following a two-hour intermission, the afternoon session saw Tsolov continue his impressive form.<\/p>\n

Early in the session, he led a Campos Racing 1-2-3, setting a time of 1:27.373, placing him ahead of teammates Tasanopol Inthraphuvasak and Mari Boya.<\/p>\n

Tsolov further improved his time to 1:27.249, extending his lead over Inthraphuvasak.<\/p>\n

Hitech\u00b4s Stenshorne disrupted the Campos stronghold by moving into third with a 1:27.569.<\/p>\n

Later, Tramnitz (MP Motorsport<\/a>) posted a 1:27.564, securing third place and relegating Stenshorne to fourth.<\/p>\n

The session concluded without further changes at the top, with Tsolov maintaining his position, followed by Inthraphuvasak and Tramnitz.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the new chassis<\/a>, the Bulgarian\u00a0shared his insights:<\/p>\n

“The car is so different to the old one, you can’t even compare it. Everything you can think of feels different.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We were expecting the car to be a bit slower, but in the end, it’s faster than the old one, even though it’s heavier, which is a positive thing to see.” – Nicola Tsolov, Campos Racing.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Testing Results<\/h3>\n
\n

Day two \u2705<\/p>\n

Here’s how we finished after six hours of running \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc47#F3<\/a> #F3Testing<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9haLaloW24<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Formula 3 (@Formula3) February 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n