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 auto- drome makes him feel comfortable. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the 18-year-old said, “I am enjoying the Dubai Autodrome. 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.