Sims fastest on GP3 return

Alexander Sims grabbed the headlines on his return to the GP3 Series on Friday afternoon by immediately topping free practice at the Nurburgring.

The 24-year-old Briton, who last raced in the series in 2011, returned to Status GP in place of Adderly Fong, who is racing in China this weekend. His last open-wheel start was in the Macau GP last year.

Sims topped the session with a late flying lap by 0.14sec ahead of Carlin's Eric Lichtenstein. Dino Zamparelli was third fastest for Manor, from fellow Brits Jack Harvey, Lewis Williamson and Nick Yelloly.

Points leader Tio Ellinas was seventh, ahead of David Fumanelli and Silverstone race two winner Giovanni Venturini.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Alexander Sims Status 1m45.208s 20 2. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin 1m45.348s +0.140s 19 3. Dino Zamparelli Manor 1m45.531s +0.323s 19 4. Jack Harvey ART 1m45.707s +0.499s 16 5. Lewis Williamson Bamboo 1m45.812s +0.604s 19 6. Nick Yelloly Carlin 1m45.829s +0.621s 17 7. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m45.928s +0.720s 18 8. Luis Sa Silva Carlin 1m46.148s +0.940s 19 9. David Fumanelli Trident 1m46.487s +1.279s 1910. Giovanni Venturini Trident 1m46.590s +1.382s 2011. Alex Fontana Jenzer 1m46.596s +1.388s 1312. Kevin Korjus Koiranen 1m46.635s +1.427s 1413. Daniil Kvyat MW Arden 1m46.651s +1.443s 1814. Melville McKee Bamboo 1m46.792s +1.584s 1815. Samin Gomez Jenzer 1m46.802s +1.594s 1916. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 1m46.832s +1.624s 1517. Jimmy Eriksson Status 1m46.855s +1.647s 1918. Robert Visoiu MW Arden 1m47.097s +1.889s 1819. Emanuele Zonzini Trident 1m47.101s +1.893s 1920. Carlos Sainz Jr MW Arden 1m47.143s +1.935s 1721. Facu Regalia ART 1m47.148s +1.940s 1522. Conor Daly ART 1m47.267s +2.059s 1723. Aaro Vainio Koiranen 1m47.421s +2.213s 1624. Josh Webster Status 1m47.866s +2.658s 1825. Patrick Kujala Koiranen 1m47.871s +2.663s 1226. Ryan Cullen Manor 1m48.456s +3.248s 2027. Carmen Jorda Bamboo 1m50.188s +4.980s 19