Lewis ready for Paul Ricard testposted in MSPOR02 | 03 | 2011

SCOTS RACER Lewis Williamson will get the first feel of his new MW Arden GP3 car when he starts the two-day test at Paul Ricard in southern France tomorrow.

The 21-year-old from Golspie, who confirmed his move to the team owned by Red Bull Formula One stars Christian Horner and Mark Webber only last week, is looking forward to getting back into action.

"This will be the first time I've driven the MW Arden car, and my first time in a GP3 car since the test at Estoril in Portugal at the end of last year," the talented youngster explained today.

"I had a seat-fitting at the team's HQ in Banbury last week and took the chance to meet my race engineer and a few of the other guys. Now though we start the real work tomorrow."

For Williamson, who narrowly missed out on the British Formula Renault title in the final race of the season last year, the graduation to GP3 marks a significant step up in power and performance. Both cars are powered by 2.0-litre Renault engines, but the GP3 is turbocharged.

"The GP3 car has around an extra 100bhp compared to the car I drive last year," the Scot, who was fastest at the test in Portugal last year, continued, "plus it's a lot more aerodynamic, so it's very, very quick.

"For me though this test isn't going to be about setting fastest time. I need to learn about the new car and my new team, and that's what I'll be concentrating on. Plus I've never been here before, so it's a new circuit for me.

"There's plenty of time to go top of the timesheets once the season starts. For now though it's all about gathering information and making sure I'm ready to deliver when the racing season starts."

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Jim McGill