Spaniard leads the way at French circuit ahead of rounds three and four this weekend
Miki Monras headed the timesheets at the FIA Formula Two Championship test at Magny-Cours today, putting him in good stead for rounds three and four of the series this weekend.
The Spanish GP3 graduate set the overall fastest time of 1:30.841s in the first of four sessions at the former French Grand Prix circuit, with Swiss F2 newcomer Christopher Zanella second quickest and Frenchman Benjamin Lariche finishing third fastest on his home circuit.
19-year-old Monras took full advantage of the cooler track temperatures during the morning session at the 4.411km circuit home to Formula One until 2008 to secure the overall honours and be on course to continue his good form from last months season opener at Silverstone where he claimed his maiden F2 victory.
Romanian driver Mihai Marinescu posted the fourth quickest time of the day with Alex Brundle, son of former Grand Prix racer Martin, in fifth.
Ramón Piñeiro and German Johannes Theobald also impressed during the four sessions, as did British drivers Jack Clarke and Will Bratt. 21-year-old Tobias Hegewald rounded out the top 10 drivers, while current championship leader Mirko Bortolotti could only manage 14th fastest.
The official test also saw a new face amongst the F2 regulars as British racer Jon Lancaster, a former Formula Renault 3.5 winner, joined the series and quickly made an impression by finishing just outside the top 10.
Speaking after the test Monras said: Today went really well and because we were able to set such a good time in the first session, we were able to save putting on fresh tyres in the final stint. The cooler track temperatures in the morning helped us post quick times together with the fact that I have raced here before in Formula Renault 2.0.
Rounds three and four of the 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship get underway on 13 May starting with practice one at 12:50 (local time). Full coverage, including live timing, will be available on the F2 website.