Hugh Barter is pleased with his progress in the FIA F3 post-season test at Jerez after setting the third quickest time in Day 3’s Afternoon session.
The Australian completed a total of 168 laps over his two days of running for Campos Racing at the Spanish circuit.
Barter explained to InsideF2 that he progressed well over the two days at Jerez despite circumstances going against the 17-year-old at times, particularly when driving on new tyres.
He said: “I think the improvement across the two days was quite good, I think we got pretty unlucky with a lot of our runs on the new tyre, we had red flags, we had traffic as well as some problems with the car.
“Just really unlucky on that side of things but the long runs were quite promising so I think that’s a positive to take from the two days.”
The Dallara-built FIA F3 car possesses much more downforce than the French and Spanish F4 cars Barter has been racing this season.
The Australian said that the added downforce and grip takes more adaption than the F3 car’s Pirelli tyres as the driving style is a huge contrast to the less powerful F4 machines.
He said: “I think it’s not so much adapting to the Pirelli compound, I think it’s more adapting to the downforce of the car.
“I think it’s a completely different driving style which I enjoy and I think it’s definitely an amazing feeling to drive into corners with so much speed and really commit.
“But it’s definitely something you have to get used to and as you say grow some balls and just send it.”
Barter has been competing in Spanish F4 this season with Campos and felt it was beneficial to conduct the test with the Spanish outfit as it made the step up from F4 to Formula 3 machinery slightly easier.
The 17-year-old said: “I think it’s a good thing to keep the relationship with Campos.
“I think obviously I have one at the moment and it’s good I know how the team works and I know how the environment is so I think it’s just a good way to step into an F3 for the first time through that path.”
Barter will race next at Paul Ricard during the final round of the French F4 championship as he battles for the championship with Frenchman Alessandro Giusti on the 14-16 of October.
