Ravishankar sets the pace as MRF Challenge 2017 gets underway

Singaporean driver Pavan Ravishankar topped the timesheets in second practice session as the MRF Challenge 2017 got underway at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Thursday.

Ravishankar clocked two minutes and 1.638 seconds to be the fastest driver on the opening day of the season.

With track temperatures warmer than last year, the Formula 2000 cars lapped for two 30-minute practice sessions.

Brazil’s Felipe Drugovich, 17, had set the fastest time in first practice and is looking ahead at qualifying and the four races on Friday and Saturday.

Drugovich clocked 2:01.684 as the drivers familiarised themselves with the 5.4 km circuit. Frenchman Julian Falchero impressed on his debut and was second (2:01.774).

Behind him were Indonesia’s Presley Martono, Rinus van Kalmthout and Ravishankar.

SAKHIR (BAHRAIN):

DRUGOVICH SETS PACE

The second practice saw Drugovich once again set early pace with 2:02.451. The timings started to improve as the drivers laid more rubber on the tarmac. Seven minutes from chequered flag, Ravishankar set a time of 2:01.638 to become the fastest man of the day.

Poland’s Alex Karkosik ended less than one-tenth of a second off Ravishankar.

Drugovich and Martono slotted in third and fourth respectively with Falchero and Dylan Young rounding off the top-6.

“It feels good to be back here in Bahrain. The car is different to the one here last year but is much easier to drive and a lot more fun. We have to work to see how we can improve as the timings of the top 4-5 drivers are very close,” Ravishankar said.

A single-make series, the MRF Challenge here is being held as a support race of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s last round of the season – 6 Hours of Bahrain.