Formula Renault 3.5 at Barcelona (Photo Credit: Renault Sport)
The Danes continued their domination at the top of the standings in the Formula Renault 3.5 collective tests as Marco Sorensen was quickest in the second session in Barcelona.
After Kevin Magnussen had set the pace for Carlin on Tuesday, it was German F3 runner up Sorensen who stole the show for Gravity-Charouz.
His time of 1:32.815secs was the fastest time over the two days, albeit on a much gripper track, to head P1's Arthur Pic by a small margin of 0.035secs.
The 21 year old said: “I've only ever driven a Formula Renault 3.5 once, back in 2009, after my first season in Formula Renault 2.0. Today I have more experience, particularly in F3, but there's a big difference in performance between the two cars. Yesterday I had to find my feet again and get to know the team. Very early in the morning we put on new tyres and it worked.
“Next season will be interesting, because with the new car all the teams will be starting from scratch. We have to be ready!”
Pic finished the day second for P1 having partnered Kevin Korjus at Tech 1 Racing last season.
And the 2010 Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup runner-up is hoping his testing performances will ensure he remains in FR3.5 for a second term.
“It's positive to discover a new team and a new approach. I've driven nearly 150 laps in two days, so we've had a really busy schedule. When we've been able to use the new tyres we've set some good times.
“After a season as an apprentice, the logical step is to continue in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, but I don't yet know with which team.”
Adrian Quaife-Hobbs continued his impressive pace for Comtec to complete the top tree, while Tuesday's pacesetter Magnussen was fourth for Carlin.
Daniel Abt, who was seventh in F3 Euroseries this season, completed the top five.
Another notable debutant was Robin Frijns, who won the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup in 2011.
He was 14th for ISR in the second collective test and is targeting getting the correct budget so he can compete in FR3.5 in 2012.
Frijns said: “Today was my first day in the car. I've never driven such a powerful car. So today's goal was to build up my confidence lap by lap. The cornering speed is rather impressive and physically the car is so much more demanding than Formula Renault 2.0. My neck hurts… I improved throughout the day, even sending the car into a spin. But that's part of the learning curve!
“The €500,000 prize I received from Renault Sport Technologies for winning my title was very handy. But I still need to raise more funds for 2012. We're working on that now.”
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Marco Sorensen Gravity-Charouz 1m32.815s 2. Arthur Pic P1 1m32.850s + 0.035s 3. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Comtec 1m33.065s + 0.250s 4. Kevin Magnussen Carlin 1m33.092s + 0.277s 5. Daniel Abt Pons 1m33.174s + 0.359s 6. Walter Grubmueller P1 1m33.242s + 0.427s 7. Valtteri Bottas Tech 1 1m33.372s + 0.557s 8. Vittorio Ghirelli BVM Target 1m33.638s + 0.823s 9. Cesar Ramos Epic 1m33.666s + 0.851s 10. Zoel Amberg Pons 1m33.693s + 0.878s 11. Nico Muller Carling 1m34.039s + 1.224s 12. Carlos Huertas Fortec 1m34.149s + 1.334s 13. Rio Haryanto Epic 1m34.159s + 1.344s 14. Robin Frinjs ISR 1m34.228s + 1.413s 15. Will Stevens Fortec 1m34.317s + 1.502s 16. Lucas Foresti Tech 1 1m34.429s + 1.614s 17. Giovanni Venturini Draco 1m34.516s + 1.701s 18. Daniel de Jong Draco 1m34.537s + 1.722s 19. Anton Nebylitskiy KMP 1m34.630s + 1.815s 20. Nikola Martsenko BVM Target 1m34.980s + 2.165s 21. Adrien Tambay KMP 1m35.031s + 2.216s 22. Yann Cunha Gravity-Charouz 1m35.034s + 2.219s 23. Adderly Fong Comtec 1m35.830s + 3.015s
