Sakhir (Bahrain): Mick Schumacher topped the MRF Challenge 2016 season opener practice in Bahrain International Circuit here on Thursday by setting the fastest time in Free Practice Two. The son of former German legendary driver Michael Schumacher — seven-time Formula One World Champion — clocked a 2:00.467s to go one tenth faster than German F4 Champion Joey Mawson.
Earlier in the day, Estonian driver Ralf Aron clocked the fastest time in Free Practice One, ahead of Schumacher and Harrison Newey. The qualifying and two races of the MRF Challenge are slated for Friday, alongside the final round of FIA World Endurance Championship.
In the opening practice session of the action packed weekend here, Newey was leading until the half way mark. Later, Newey and Schumacher exchanged fastest laps with latter setting a time of 2:01.370s. Newey went one tenth faster with a 2:01.263 as the session was coming to an end only to be pipped by Italian F4 champion Aron on the last timed lap who did a 2:01.144s.
Free practice Two saw Mawson wasting no time in getting up to speed and went fastest with a 2:01.783s in front of Newey and Aron. Schumacher then posted 2:00.467 to top the sheets.
Free Practice 1: 1. Ralf Aron (2:01.144s), 2. Harrison Newey (2:01.263s), 3. Mick Schumacher (2:01.370s), 4. Juri Vips (2:01.699s), 5. Kimi Schramm (2:01.738s). Free Practice 2: 1. Mick Schumacher (2:00.467s), 2. Joey Mawson (2:00.566s), 3. Ralf Aron (2:00.889s), 4. K Van Kalmthout (2:01.225s), 5. Manuel Maldonado (2:01.717s).
