Several laps behind, Team India hits A1 road

Team manager Akbar Ebrahim said the test was not about checking the driver’s ability but was designed to get a fair idea of how each one copes while handling a car of higher horse power.

The test — a first for Armaan and Imran — was conducted in two F3 cars hired out from one of the top teams in British Formula 3 racing, Raikkonen Robertson Racing.

Each driver was put through 10-lap sessions, and at the end of each day completed an average of 70-80 laps. Ebrahim didn’t specify who did what but did mention that all fared well despite driving on a circuit new to them.

‘‘Their timings were not spot on but within the permissible tolerance levels’’, Ebrahim said.

There is a feeling that two days of testing may not be enough. ‘‘It calls for a high budget… and not all our guys are racing full time. So with the limited opportunities pushing oneself to optimum during these tests is the only way out.’’

Team India now head to France to have a full shakedown at the Paul Ricard circuit, where all drivers will get an opportunity to power the A1 GP cars after missing the first official test at Silverstone.