Ramon Pineiro set the pace in the opening Formula Two free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps.
On a cold and slightly damp circuit, the 19-year-old Spaniard recorded his quickest time of 2m11.434s late in the session. It was good enough to beat Mirko Bortolotti's previous benchmark by two tenths of a second to demote the Italian to second.
“The track was very tricky, there were three corners that were still wet, but I got a good set up and it’s the first time I’ve raced here with a low downforce set up,” said Pineiro.
“My tyres were good in the session but the track was still damp. I wasn’t pushing my hardest because I knew the difference on the damp area would be the key point, but hopefully it will be dry in the next session and we’ll keep working.”
Briton Jack Clarke was third quickest, 0.469s off Pineiro. He was just ahead of compatriot Will Bratt. Mihai Marinescu was fifth, seven tenths off the pace, with Kelvin Snoeks in sixth just over a second down.
Tobias Hegewald, who dominated the series' previous visit to the Belgian circuit in 2009, was seventh, with championship leader Christopher Zanella in eighth. Thiemo Storz was ninth with Miki Monras completing the top ten.
17-year-old newcomer Jordan King was 22nd quickest of the 23 runners, seven seconds off the pace as he learns both the car and the circuit.
Max Snegirev's session ended early after he went off the track at Les Combes, bringing out the red flags.
The second free practice session begins at 14:05 local time.
1. Ramon Pineiro, 2:11.434s
2. Mirko Bortolotti, +0.226s
3. Jack Clarke, +0.469s
4. Will Bratt, +0.565s
5. Mihai Marinescu, +0.732
6. Kelvin Snoeks, +1.035s
7. Tobias Hegewald, +1.069s
8. Christopher Zanella, +1.181s
9. Thiemo Storz, +1.752s
10. Miki Monras, +1.853s
