Esterson feeling ‘really good’ after topping wet Silverstone Practice

Max Esterson was very happy strong start to his Silverstone weekend by topping the timesheets in a “tricky” wet Free Practice for Jenzer Motorsport.

A difficult session for the drivers, the American rookie got up to speed around a track he knows well before completing a lap of 2:00.153 to take top by over a tenth from Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Cian Shields.

Reflecting on the 45 minutes of running after jumping out of the car, Esterson said: “It was a bit tricky because we don't want to use too much of the tyres.

PRACTICE: Esterson leads Shields in rain-hampered session at Silverstone

“We only get two sets of wet for the weekend and we might need them and it's really easy to destroy them when it's not so wet like it was when it was kind of dry. I went out at the right time, set a good lap time and hopefully we didn't take too much out of the tyre.”

Esterson also explained how tricky Practice around a wet Silverstone can be for the drivers. While they are trying to get up to speed in the rain, given that they might face similar conditions in Qualifying and in the Sprint Race, they must also make sure they do not damage the tyre.

However, while it is hard for them, he acknowledges that his previous experience around the track and the fact that he is feeling comfortable within Jenzer helped him keep everything in check.

“It's hard because the lap is so long,” he explained. “So, by the time you get to the end of the second sector you are starting to lose the grip a bit.

“But the car was really good, and it helps to know the place. I've done so many laps in the wet here, there is a lot of run off as well, so it makes it easier to push.”

“So far so good, the first lap was quite good as well, I was one of the first to go, so the car is really good so far, we will see what Qualifying brings.”

Practice was a difficult one for both the drivers and the teams to manage as many decided to put on the slick tyres when the track began to dry out only for heavy rain to fall straight afterwards.

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While others chose to go out and do some more learning, some decided against it, with Championship leader Luke Browning even deciding against leaving the pitlane for the entire session.

Esterson was one of the drivers that chose to do a few laps, his six tours of the track tied for the second fewest amongst the grid. However, he feels he is ready to target the top 12 if conditions stay the same for Qualifying.

“I think for sure we can target the top 12,” he said. “We don't know what's going to happen. I think we are bringing all the tyres we have to the pit lane because we don't know if we are going to need three sets of slicks, two sets of slicks, one set of slicks or both wets.”