Saturday, 18 May, PORTIMAO (Portugal): Maverick F1 Racing’s Erik Stark maintained his pace and place at the top of the times sheets with a 44.22s lap in this morning’s 60 minute practice session, snatching top spot from Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente by o.62s on his final lap as the session timed out. “The set-up we have is good. But I wanted to do that last lap for Q3 simulation,” said Stark. “Again we did a session and got through everything we planned. It was a little windy but actually the conditions were okay. Always before I preferred flat but I am enjoying rougher conditions more and more and at the end of the day you always take risks in whatever the conditions. But so far it doesn’t feel as if I am taking any chances.”

The session was yellow-flagged in the first quarter when Victory Team’s Ahmed Al Hameli barrel rolled, but was unhurt. “I wasn’t over pushing the boat but the run between the two buoys is very short and the water was a little rough because of other boats and I was just setting up for a fast lap and she went over.” Hameli said.

Philippe Chiappe maintained his presence in the top three with his best lap of 45.32s, with Jonas Andersson’s change of engine pushing putting him fourth quickest ahead of Tahni Al Qemzi and Marit Stromoy.