Tveter Completes Strong Test in GP3 at Abu Dhabi Official Post-Season Test

Abu Dhabi, UAE, Dec. 2 — Rising American Ryan Tveter got a head start to 2017 in Abu Dhabi this week testing in GP3 for Trident Racing, the Italian marque that powered Ferrari Junior Antonio Fuoco to 3rd in the 2016 GP3 Series championship. Tveter drove on the first two days of the test Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 gaining valuable experience in the extremely competitive feeder series that follows Formula 1.

The test was held at the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit the week after the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend, which saw Nico Rosberg crowned 2016 Formula 1 world champion. The same weekend also hosted the finale of the GP2 and GP3 championships, which saw Tveter’s former teammate, Antonio Giovinazzi, crowned GP2 vice-champion for Prema Racing in his rookie season.

Tveter attended the Formula 1 weekend and witnessed the spectacular showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for the world championship and also got his eye in the track before driving his first laps on the Wednesday morning of the test.

Over the two days Tveter completed 106 laps getting to grips with the new GP3 car, which has over 420 horsepower and is around 5-6 quicker per lap than an FIA Formula 3 car, which Tveter had been competing in this season.

Both morning and afternoon of the first day Tveter ended 10th fastest of the 23 runners, many of whom had been racing in the category for the season. The second morning got off to a great start with Tveter vaulting straight to 2nd place close behind 2016 multiple GP3 race winner, Jack Aitken and holding P2 for most of the morning.

Unfortunately, Tveter’s new tire run in the afternoon was cut short due to a red flag so Tveter finished the afternoon 15th fastest having not been able to complete his lap after setting personal best sectors.

Tveter commented, “It was a very positive test and I want to thank Trident for the opportunity. The GP3 car is beautiful to drive and is a big step in power from Formula 3. The test got off to a good start and I was competitive straight away especially on the second morning of the test. Being just a couple tenths from a guy who had been racing in GP3 all year and was fighting for the win over the race weekend in Abu Dhabi in my second morning in the car was extremely positive. It was shame about the last set of new tires, but in the end you don’t get any points for testing.”

Trident was happy with the work Tveter completed for them after running through some various setups. 2017 plans will be confirmed after the New Year.