With three rounds of the single-seater championship remaining, the leading teams spent two days at the Greywater circuit this week testing upgrades that could decide the title. Most of the work took place behind garage doors and car covers, but engineers say the data gathered could be worth several tenths of a second per lap.
Championship leader Halden Racing brought a revised floor and new sidepods, while Vortex Motorsport, 14 points behind, focused on a cooling package for the hot conditions expected at the next race.
Data first, lap times second
Testing days rarely produce headline lap times. Teams run long programs with fuel loads and tire choices they keep to themselves, and the fastest time on the timing screens often means little.
The interesting work happens on the laptops, not on the track. We are comparing every corner against what the simulator told us. If the numbers match, we can trust the upgrade for the race.
Sara Lindholm, chief race engineer at Halden Racing
Halden completed 212 laps over the two days, more than any other team, and reported no technical problems. Vortex lost most of Tuesday afternoon to a hydraulic leak but recovered on Wednesday with a long run that its engineers called “very encouraging.”
The title fight
Halden’s lead driver, Mattias Keller, has won four of the last six races and could seal the title at the next round if he outscores his closest rival by enough points. Vortex driver Julien Moreau insists the fight is far from over.
“We were missing a bit of rear grip in the hot races,” Moreau said. “This package is aimed directly at that. If it works, we can win the next three.”
Rookies get their chance
Testing also gave junior drivers rare time in the cars. Northvale-born rookie Elif Demir set the third-fastest time on Wednesday for the smaller Cedar Racing team, impressing team bosses watching from the pit wall.
The teams now pack up for the next round, where Halden and Vortex will race their upgrades for the first time. The championship organizers will not allow any further private testing before the season ends.
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