Jamie Chadwick sets early pace in MRF Challenge Round 2

Jamie Chadwick, the only female racer on the 12-car grid, set the early pace by topping both the free practice sessions which kick-started the second round of the MRF Challenge at the Bahrain International Circuit, here Thursday.

The 20-year-old from England clocked a best of two minutes, 01.002 seconds in the first session around the 5.412 Kms Grand Prix circuit and went even better in the next with a 02:00.923 to warm up nicely for the qualifying session scheduled for later tonight.

Chadwick came up with a late blitz in the first session putting in the fastest lap on her last flier to edge out championship leader Max Defourny (02:01.398) from Belgium and German Andreas Estner (02:01.944) who got into his stride late in the 30-minute session.

In the next session, it was Chadwick again who put the hammer down, recording her best timing of 02:00.923 on her last flying lap with Andreas Estner (02:01.388) second ahead of Czech Republic's Petr Ptacek (02:01.553).

For Defourny, also 20 and a graduate of the Formula Renault Euro Cup, it was an up-and-down outing. He was third quickest in the first session, but slipped a slot to fourth in the second outing.

India's Chetan Korada, though last on the time sheets in both the sessions, showed improvement in his lap timings.

(With inputs from agencies.)