Sarah Moore posted the surprise fastest time on Friday practice for the W Series at Assen.
Sarah Moore topped the second practice session as the W Series headlines the iconic TT Circuit at Assen in the Netherlands.
And if things finish in the order of practice, Jamie Chadwick will seal the championship on Saturday afternoon.
Emma Kimilainen had led the way during first practice on Friday morning, but Moore sprang a surprise to set the fastest time of the day. A regular points finisher, Moore has watched her results go downhill after impressing in the season-opening race at Hockenheim – finishing third that day before a fifth, a ninth and a DNF in the rounds that followed.
Also not in the championship battle, Vicky Piria came home second fastest, with championship leader Jamie Chadwick third.
Heading into the weekend, Chadwick knew that she needed rival Beitske Visser to have a horrible weekend if the title was to be secure. Racing in her home country, Visser was hoping that advantage would help her out — but Chadwick came in third, while Visser sat a lowly 12th.
If things finish like this on Saturday, Chadwick will be the champion with a round to spare.
“I’m trying not to think too much about that (the championship),” said Chadwick. “It can theoretically happen, but at the moment, my focus is on trying to win the race, doing the best job I can and whatever happens, happens.”
“If it goes to Brands Hatch, this weekend is going to be about making my life as easy as possible.”
A development driver for the Williams Formula 1 team, Chadwick made her first trip into the paddock on official duties during the British Grand Prix weekend, something that proved to be a nice distraction from all of the title talk.
“It was awesome. It was so cool,” said Chadwick. “My first proper experience in an F1 paddock so a great experience for me. It was great to be with Williams, who didn’t have the best weekend, but it was nice for me to be fully immersed in the team, so I absolutely loved it.
“For me, it’s about keeping momentum, keeping in motorsport and stuff like that. I learned a huge amount actually, especially from the likes of George (Russell) and Robert (Kubica), so I think it was good to be able to learn from them and get that experience, and I come here with a bit of a fresh vibe because of it.”
Narrowly remaining in the title race, Fabienne Wohlwend and Marta Garcia, both with one win to their names, could only manage 9th and 14th, respectively, but if Chadwick registers a podium finish on Saturday and they fail to reach the top three, their threat would also have been nullified.
Practice Two Results
Pos.
Driver
Nationality
Time
1
Sarah Moore
UK
1:34.247
2
Vicky Piria
Italy
1:34.484
3
Jamie Chadwick
UK
1:34.720
4
Alice Powell
UK
1:34.896
5
Jessica Hawkins
UK
1:35.002
6
Emma Kimilainen
Finland
1:35.074
7
Gosia Rdest
Poland
1:35.104
8
Miki Koyama
Japan
1:35.143
9
Fabienne Wohlwend
Lichtenstein
1:35.294
10
Tasmin Pepper
South Africa
1:35.332
11
Esmee Hawkey
UK
1:35.385
12
Beitske Visser
Netherlands
1:35.391
13
Caitlin Wood
Australia
1:35.394
14
Marta Garcia
Spain
1:35.611
15
Naomi Schiff
Germany
1:35.856
16
Sabre Cook
USA
1:35.968
17
Sarah Bovy (Reserve)
Belgium
1:36.043
18
Shea Holbrook
USA
1:36.113
19
Vivien Keszthelyi (Reserve)
Hungary
1:36.473
20
Megan Gilkes
Canada
1:36.785
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