Schumacher, Viscaal lead MRF Challenge practices

David Schumacher and Bent Viscaal took turns topping the times in the pair of Free Practice sessions yesterday in the MRF Challenge, held in support of the FIA WEC Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit.

Schumacher, who is the son of former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher and nephew of seven-time Formula 1 World champion Michael Schumacher, was the top man in the second session with a best lap of two minutes 00.540 seconds. He completed 12 laps in his single-seater.

Schumacher was 0.430 seconds quicker than Dutch driver Viscaal from the Netherlands while he was also 0.500s faster than Michelangelo Amendola of Belgium, who was third. Viscaal set the early pace in the first practice held in the morning. He clocked a best lap of 2:01.191 while going for 13 laps of work in the 30-minute session, which kicked off the racing action for the day.

Schumacher was second quickest. The German was just 0.065 seconds off the pace. Valdemar Eriksen of Denmark was third 0.710s behind Viscaal. A total of 11 drivers are competing in the MRF Challenge. The MRF Challenge gets back out on track today at 10.30am for Qualifying.