Martono, van Kalmthout dominate free practice
DUBAI: Indonesia’s Presley Martono and Dutchman Rinus van Kalmthout were the stars during the free practice session in the MRF Challenge 2017 event here.
Van Kalmthout had dominated the first session in the afternoon with a time of 1:57:046 while Martono ended second with 1:57:101. The tables were turned in the second final session with the Indonesian breaching the 1:57 mark to clock 1:56:996.
Martono, who had gained fame by winning the Rotax Max Challenge Asia Karting Championship in 2011, said the Dubai autodrome makes him feel comfortable. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the 18-year-old said, “I am enjoyingthedubaiautodrome.it has more banking. In my local kart track, there are plenty of high banking corners which makes me comfortable.”
HOPING TO BE FASTEST However, the Indonesian, who is currently second in the 2017 MRF Challenge after a finishing second in two races in Bahrain, cautioned, “As long as I am the fastest in qualifying, I will be happy.”
For van Kalmthout, his hot and cold start to the MRF Challenge continued. After leading the first race in Bahrain, he retired and finished fifth in the second. In the third race, he secured the top spot in qualifying and went on to win the race but in the fourth, van Kalmthout was passed on the last lap by France’s Julien Falchero to end up second.
The Dutchman, currently fourth, was yet again undone by a moment of brilliance, this time from Martono with just three minutes remaining in the final session with the Indonesian setting a wonderful time.
The qualifying session is on Friday, followed by the first two races. Brazil’s Felipe Drugovich, who finished third in the first session and seventh in the second, leads the MRF Challenge.
‘PLENTY OF OPTIONS’ “What also excites me is that all our batsmen have been to South Africa before and they have the experience of 40-50 Tests. Having said that, you do need a bit of luck in those conditions, bit of rub of the green. If we get that, I am very confident about our chances,” said Dravid, who is coaching the U-19 and India A sides.
India have been playing nonstop cricket since the Champions Trophy and none other than Kohli has complained of not getting enough time to prepare for the South Africa tour due to the ongoing against Sri Lanka getting over only on December 24.
Dravid said it will be good to take the extra load off the players’ shoulders. “Some years are tough (schedule wise) for the team and some are not. There is a lot of pressure on players but that is same for all teams. But it will be nice if we can balance the schedule though it is not an easy job.”
Kohli recently surpassed Dravid to be the second-highest century-maker for India across formats and is only behind the great Sachin Tendulkar. “The intensity that he brings on the field to inspire his teammates is what stands out for me.”