Australian open wheel ace Tom Randle was a standout performer during his two-day Euro F3 test at the Circuit de Valencia earlier this week.
Driving T-Sport's 2015 spec Dallara-NBE, Randle quickly acclimatised to the F3 machine and the undulating Spanish circuit, lapping quickly from the outset on the full FIA specification 4.05k layout.
Driving alongside Randle at the test was Arjun Maini, fresh from a strong top-10 finish with the team at the recent Macau Grand Prix and with a full year of FIA European Formula 3 competition under his belt Maini provided a solid benchmark for the 19-year-old Australian, who lapped within 0.5s of his fellow, former TRS driver.
Randle was ecstatic with his performance and revelled in the high-downforce machine on a circuit that includes a long and challenging 210kph first turn.
"The car was absolutely awesome to drive, and very punishing on the body but I felt fine doing over 70 laps on each of the two days. The team was great, and having Arjun there gave me a better insight into not only my performance but also how to master these cars. Arjun was a standout in TRS in New Zealand earlier in the year and I knew he would be a good yardstick for me to try and chase.
"The track was very busy with many of the top teams in attendance and while the conditions were almost perfect the early setting sun made things harder later in the day, especially spotting some of the apexes at the high-speed sections of the track.
"I just want more. Now that I've been and sampled FIA F3 I truly hope I can secure the backing to come back and be a part of the championship. It was also great to see another Aussie in Jordan Lloyd out on track and I'm sure he loved driving the car equally as much as I did."
ThreeBond with T-Sport Team principal Russell Eacott was very impressed with Randle's first foray into Euro F3.
"Have to say Thomas did an excellent job down here in Valencia, the option to get him in the car came very late but I am glad we took the chance to get him out in one of our cars! I would dearly like for him to come back and contest the full season in 2016, for this to happen though I hope he receives the support he deserves from back home”