Williamson third-fastest at Silverstoneposted in MSPOR29 | 03 | 2011

GOLSPIE'S LEWIS WILLIAMSON maintained his pre-season form when he finished the opening day of the three-day GP3 test at Silverstone third-fastest.

The 21-year-old (pictured), who will pilot one of the cars run by MW Arden — the Banbury-based team owned by Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner and racer Mark Webber — clocked a fastest lap of 1min 51.641secs.

"Another good, solid day in the car," Williamson, the current McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year, who had been second-fastest in the morning session, said today after the late afternoon rain wrecked any chances he had of getting to the top of the timesheets.

"We're building up our pace and learning more about the car every time we go out, so I'm happy with where we are at the moment."

American Gabby Chaves posted the fastest lap of the day, 1:51.449s, just 0.174s quicker than Swiss driver Nico Muller. Williamson was just 0.045s further back.

The teams reconvene tomorrow at 9am to begin the second day of testing at the Northamptonshire circuit.

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Jim McGill