Mardenborough throws down the early challenge

Jann Mardenborough has gone fastest in early testing today at Manfeild for the 59th New Zealand Grand Prix, topping the first session timesheets with a 1:03.594.

His time is already comfortably inside the race lap record of 1:03.820 set by Wanganui driver Earl Bamber in 2008.

Also under the lap record this morning is championship leader Andrew Tang on 1:03.664. Martin Rump was third quickest, just outside the record, with a 1:03.874. Top New Zealand driver is Damon Leitch of Invercargill, fourth on 1:03.926.