Davidson fastest in Brands Hatch F3 test.

Anthony Davidson was fastest at Brands Hatch today, Thursday, in testing for this weekend's Green Flag British F3 Championship races.

Davidson currently second in the championship behind his team-mate Takuma Sato, topped the times by over a tenth of a second at the end of the day, despite having not raced an F3 car on the shorter Indy Circuit before. Davidson also experimented with his high-downforce rear wing setting that he employed at Knockhill, although it is unclear if he used this at the time of his best lap.

His Carlin Motortsport team-mate Sato was second fastest despite crashing at Surtees and damaging his car, Sato himself was unhurt. Other drivers in the wards included Jaguar Racing F3 driver James Courtney who went off at Paddock Hill Bend and did a lot of damage to his car. As a consequence Courtney missed the third test session although the car should be repaired for Saturday qualifying.

Japanese newcomer Sakon Yamamoto also went off at Surtees and cost himself valuable track time as his Alan Docking Racing car was repaired.

Behind the top two, however, came Derek Hayes for Manor Motorsport ahead of Andy Priaulx's Alan Docking Racing car, continuing his recent run of good form. Local ace Mark Taylor in the second Manor Motorsport car was an impressive fifth whilst Donington winner Gianmaria Bruni completed the top six.

The Scholarship Class was headed by Matthew Gilmore who put in his best time in the final session of the day to head his championship rival Robbie Kerr and Justin Sherwood.

Two newcomers to the class had their first F3 experience, Tetsuji Masuda drove for Diamond Racing whilst Iain Brown stepped up from Formula Vauxhall Junior to drive the third Performance Racing car.

Each class will have two individual races on Sunday with qualifying taking place on Saturday.