TEMPO.CO, Sepang, Malaysia - Indonesian racers Rio Haryanto and David Tjiptobiantoro, under the banner of T2 Motorsports team, have started their free practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) of Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia 2019, in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, on Friday, April 5.

Both racers found an obstacle on the braking system of the Ferrari 488 GT3 during the 30-minute of first free practice (FP1) session. As the result, they could not reach a maximum result with 2.60 minute lap time.

Rio Haryanto managed to speed up to record 2.04 minute lap time and compete with fastest racers in the FP2 session. "We’re quite satisfied with the lap time in the FP2 session,” said Irmawan Poedjoadi, Team Principal T2 Motorsports, on Friday.

Meanwhile, Rio Haryanto told Tempo he was troubled with the braking system of the left front tire. The disc pad was broken which made him hard to speed up. "It has been now handled in the FP2 session.”

Rio said it was his first time driving the Ferrari 488 GT3. He tested the car the first time on Tuesday, April 3. "This is my first-time racing in GT3," he said.

The former Formula One racer hoped to get a better car setting in the official practice session on Saturday morning before the qualification round in the afternoon. "We still have time to maximize the car. I hope everything will be even better tomorrow (Saturday),” Rio said on Friday.

Meanwhile, Rio Haryanto’s partner David Tjiptobiantoro said that he was not really impressed with his performance during the FP1 and FP2 sessions. He is determined to record a faster lap time in the official practice session and the qualification. "We hope, [there will be] no more trouble on the car tomorrow," he said.

Tempo.co, as one of official media partners of T2 Motorsports team, will report live the Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia 2019 race, in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, from April 5 to 7.

ARIANDONO (SEPANG)

Read: Blancpain GT Asia: Rio Haryanto Adapts to his Ferrari 488 GT3