Sainz sets the pace in FR3.5 test

Carlos Sainz Jr. set the pace in the opening day of Formula Renault 3.5 testing at Barcelona on Tuesday. The Spaniard, driving for Pons Racing, dominated both the morning and the afternoon sessions, setting the best time of the day " a 1m29.652s " before the lunch break.

Nico Muller in the Arden Caterham car and Strakka's Matias Laine completed the top three, the trio the only men to lap the Spanish track in the 1m29s during the session.

"It was almost a perfect day and I'm very pleased," said Sainz, who will be switching the DAMS for tomorrow's test. "We worked well with the team. I've always thought that Pons Racing is a solid outfit. They're friends of mine and I really want to do a good job with them."

Russian Sergey Sirotkin was fourth fastest for ISR, while Will Buller completed the top five in the second Arden car.

Recently-crowned European Formula 3 champion Raffaele Marciello (DAMS) finished a strong sixth, while British F3 champion Jordan King posted the 15th quickest time in the morning and the 19th in the afternoon in the Carlin machine.

The Barcelona test ends tomorrow.