GP2: Lancaster ends Bahrain test on top

Jon Lancaster topped the final day of pre-season GP2 testing in Bahrain by less than a tenth of a second over Alexander Rossi.

The Briton, who is optimistic of landing a deal with the MP Motorsport squad he has been testing for at Sakhir, led the way during a morning session where the front-runners were pushing on soft tires.

Lancaster traded blows with McLaren junior Stoffel Vandoorne early on, and the Belgian was eventually edged out of second place by Felipe Nasr and then Rossi before lunch.

The majority of drivers switched their attention to longer runs in the slower afternoon session, where Daniel Abt – fifth quickest in the morning – set the pace for the Force India F1-affiliated Hilmer Motorsport.

Jolyon Palmer had led the way for the majority of that final pre-season session, but the Briton was bumped down the order by Mitch Evans, Johnny Cecotto and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs late in the session.

The GP2 field will return to Bahrain for the first races of the season on April 5-6, supporting the Bahrain Grand Prix.