Sharp ‘feeling good’ after strong day of in-season testing in Sakhir

27 March 2025

Louis Sharp says he and Rodin Motorsport are feeling confident in the package they have after a positive second day of in-season testing in Sakhir, where he topped the morning session.

The New Zealander made a flying start to proceedings, clocking a 1:48.708 to lead fellow rookie and ART Grand Prix driver Tuukka Taponen by just 0.024s.

Sharp continued that form in the afternoon, completing a 1:48.922 right at the end of the day to finish second to Campos Racing’s Mari Boya, 0.282s behind the Spaniard.

Speaking in the paddock at the end of the day, Sharp was pleased with how the second day had gone for both him and Rodin.

“Overall, a really good day,” he said. “The team did a really good job, and the car was feeling very strong. It’s my first time in Bahrain, obviously we tested yesterday, so I got a little bit of an understanding.

“Yesterday was pretty tricky with traffic on the new tyres, so I think we had quite a lot of unshown pace. So, to go out today and actually put it together, we really maximised all our new tyre runs. It showed up in the lap time, and the feeling in the car was definitely very good.”

Sharp set the fastest time of the morning session on Day 2

Sharp had a tricky debut round in Melbourne, finishing 18th in the Sprint Race and 14th in the Feature. But so far, his Formula 3 experience has been positive, especially when it comes to driving the new car.

“I am really enjoying it to be fair,” he said of his rise to F3. “It's a big step up from GB3, a lot more cars, there's is a lot more pressure and eyes on you. Obviously, most of the tracks I don't know as well, so there is a lot to learn.

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“Obviously, the nature of F3, you don't get a lot of mileage, not a lot of testing opportunities, but I am really enjoying it. The car is really cool, obviously it's a new car, but I had a little bit of experience in the old car.

“Doing the official test last year in the old car, and from what I experienced this new car is really good, so I am really enjoying it. It's very early doors, but I am really enjoying it so far.”

Sharp also spoke to Rodin’s plan across the test, as while unlocking more performance from the car is a goal, getting him more up to speed is also a key focus. So far, he has completed 102 laps, and each have been getting him more prepared for the rounds to come.

Sharp says Rodin are looking to help him get more up to speed ahead of the upcoming rounds

“I think there is a mix of everything,” he said when asked about his and Rodin’s plan at the test. “The most important thing is to get me up to speed. The car can be as fast as it can possibly be, but if the drivers not maximising it, there is no point.

“So, the main thing is getting me up to speed, getting me more familiar with the car. We've done Melbourne, but I still haven't had a lot of time in the car, and I’m learning the track as well.

“But on the other hand, we are trying to make the car as fast as possible. It's a new car for everyone, like I mentioned, so there is a lot still unknown, there is a lot we've yet to try.

“So, we are trying to try as much as we can, maximising as much as we can, and just learning as much as we can, so that we can put it together when we get it to the races.”

Looking ahead to the final day of testing and also at the upcoming round in Bahrain, Sharp expressed his excitement at what was to come, especially when talk of Round 4 in Monte Carlo came about.

Sharp is looking forward to racing at several at the tracks on the calendar

“I'm feeling good,” he said. “I am feeling really good, and I am looking forward to testing and then coming back here for the race weekend, and then on to the European stuff, which I am really excited for.

“There are a lot of cool tracks I have not been too, so a lot to tick off the bucket list… like Qualifying around Monaco, which is going to be amazing. It's something I've wanted to do, and I've dreamed of doing for a long time.

“But I am feeling really confident and feeling good with the team. We've worked really hard over the winter and these first few times with the car, and we are both confident with the package we've got.

“So, looking forward to going out there in Bahrain and for the rest of the season, really trying to put it all together.”