Intensive testing for Laurens Vanthoor during the winter months
Even during the winter months a professional diver cannot rest; and this applies to Laurens Vanthoor also. The young Belgian had only just returned from Macau when he was back on a ‘plane heading off for Spain, where two test days in Formula Renault 3.5 were on the programme. Prior to that he had also spent a day in a GT3 on the Circuit Zolder track. But no way are the winter tests finished, because prior to the Christmas period he will still be intensively busy with yet another car.
World Series by Renault
During three days the Motorland Aragon circuit was left over to testing with the Formula Renault 3.5, and where Laurens Vanthoor was involved on the Tuesday and Wednesday. The Circuit Zolder ambassador was mainly up front during the sessions, with on Tuesday and Wednesday a third and fifth best time respectively.
Laurens Vanthoor: “In fact I only drove two out of the three days. On Monday I spent my time running the car in, and didn’t set down any lap times. The lap times registered during the other two days were good, especially during the morning sessions. I wasn’t able to get everything out of the car in the afternoon sessions: firstly because I needed to become accustomed to the new rubber and on Wednesday we experienced a few minor technical hitches. Overall I’m satisfied with this initial acquaintanceship with the Formula Renault 3.5.”
The difference between the 2 litre F3s, with which Vanthoor competed during four seasons and the more powerful Formula Renault 3.5 is quite enormous.
Laurens Vanthoor: “In all fields this is an enormous step, both from the physical, technical as also speed angles. The car is heavier to handle, which means that your body needs to sustain far more. Something which really struck me was the enormous power of the carbon brakes and that of adapting to the speed for the coordination between the eyes and the brain. Everything is so much faster that the transmission of what you see really has to speed up no end. It is difficult to compare the Formula Renault 3.5 with the F3, but I did enjoy the car.”
GT and more...
Prior to the test with the Formula Renault 3.5 Laurens Vanthoor also became acquainted with a GT3 on Circuit Zolder. Vanthoor adapted extremely quickly to the car, clocking up a record GT3 class lap time of 1.29.7.
Laurens Vanthoor: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to test a GT3 and I soon noticed that it was definitely to my liking. It’s obviously something quite different from a single-seater, but they are undoubtedly true race machines, notwithstanding the fact that they require a completely different approach due to their weight. On the other hand they are powerful.”
Before the end of the year Laurens Vanthoor will be carrying out further test work in another international race category, but more news on that will follow in due course. Additional information regarding the 2012 season will also follow in the foreseeable future.
