Buddh MRF Challenge: Schumacher sets the pace in Friday practice

Earlier in FP1, points leader Harrison Newey and Joey Mawson traded the top spot in the timesheets, before the Englishman pulled clear of the rest of the sheet.

Thereafter, Schumacher went briefly quicker in the dying minutes of the session, only for Newey to fight back and reclaim the fastest lap with a 1m52.340s.

The German eventually finished three tenths down in second place, with Mawon a further three tenths adrift in third.

Felipe Drugovich dislodged Juri Vips right at the end of the session to take fourth, with Pedro Cardoso finishing a tenth behind the pair in sixth.

MRF Challenge regular Dylan Young was classified seventh, ahead of Japan’s Yoshiaki Katayama.

Manuel Maldonado survived a spin to take ninth while Rinus van Kalmthout completed the Top 10.

Schumacher streets ahead in FP2

After trailing Newey in first practice, Schumacher emerged as the man to beat in FP2, topping the session with a 1m51.325s.

Newey had to settle for second place, with Ralf Aron taking the third spot at the end of the 30-minute session.

Meanwhile, Mawson’s day was compromised after his car’s engine cover came out of its usual position, forcing the Australian to return to the pits for a quick repair. He eventually ended the session fourth fastest, over a second behind pacesetter Schumacher.

Further back, Drugovich took the fifth spot after recovering from a spin at turn five.

Vips was classified sixth, with van Kalmthout and Cardo ending seventh and eighth fastest respectively.

The Top 10 was completed by Katayama and Young.

Former F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan was also in action on Friday, testing new bits of the Dallara-made F2000 car.

FP1 Results:

FP2 Results: