Nato ends first Formula 2 test on top for Arden

The first FIA Formula 2 Championship test concluded on Wednesday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and it was Frenchman Norman Nato who ended it on top, with the Frenchman setting the fastest time of the week.

Nato, who has switched across from Racing Engineering to Permamina Arden for the 2017 season, made the most of the sunny conditions in the morning session to set a best time of 1:27.834 to lead the way by 0.054 seconds from DAMS driver Oliver Rowland.

The only other driver to dip beneath the 1:28 barrier was day two pacesetter Alexander Albon, but for the first time in the three days of testing, ART Grand Prix did not set the quickest time overall.

Behind the top three came McLaren Junior Team driver Nyck de Vries, who continued to impress for Rapax, with Russian Time duo Luca Ghiotto and Artem Markelov both inside the top six ahead of the second Arden of Sean Gelael.

Nicholas Latifi was eighth on the timing charts in the second DAMS machine, while defending Teams’ champions Prema Racing rounded out the top ten, with reigning GP3 Series champion Charles Leclerc finishing ahead of fellow Ferrari Driver Academy racer Antonio Fuoco.

Much like on day two, the afternoon session was for the majority of drivers and teams reserved for long runs and race simulations, but it was Ghiotto who lead the way with a best time of 1:29.565 ahead of Rapax duo Johnny Cecotto Jr and de Vries.

Former Formula 1 racer Roberto Merhi, who is hoping to race in Formula 2 with Campos Racing in 2017, ended fourth fastest ahead of Trident’s Sergio Canamasas and the second Campos of Swiss teenager Ralph Boschung, while Fuoco was seventh ahead of Rowland, Nato and Louis Delétraz of Racing Engineering.

Testing resumes 29-31 March at the Bahrain International Circuit, just prior to the opening race of the season at the same circuit.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Test 1 Day 3 AM Times

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Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Test 1 Day 3 PM Times

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