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TECHNICAL ISSUE THWARTS LANCASTER’S MUGELLO WEEKEND

Jon Lancaster was left frustrated by a technical issue in Friday’s qualifying which left the 19 year-old unable to repeat his stunning performance of Thursday’s wet free practice session.  A gearbox problem in the crucial qualifying session for the second round of the F3 Euroseries at Mugello puts the Leeds youngster 22nd on the grid for the opening race at the Italian track on Saturday. 

This weekend marks Jon’s first ever visit to the circuit and in Thursday’s free practice session he was running quickest for the much of the time.  He followed that up with the eighth quickest time in the dry session but was struck with a problem in qualifying which denied him the chance to repeat that performance. 

Despite his frustration, the ART Grand Prix driver remains characteristically cool and confident ahead of Saturday’s opening race, his first around the stunning 5.245-kilometre circuit in Tuscany. 

“It’s unfortunate that we had a technical problem in qualifying but it’s just one of those things,” said Jon. “The Mugello track is fantastic though, I’m really looking forward to the race although it’s going to be a tough challenge starting so far down.  

“After the performance in free practice, we had the capability of qualifying in the top five I’m sure.  So I’m fairly confident of being on the pace during the race tomorrow. The aim will have to be to finish eighth, which would put me on pole position for the second race on Sunday.”