Bernstorff fastest in Barcelona GP3 testing

Emil Bernstorff ended pre-season GP3 testing on top as he set the fastest time for Carlin at Barcelona on Thursday. The Briton outpaced Jenzer's Pal Varhaug by 0.205 second in the quicker morning session.

"I just had a lap where I put everything together and didn't make any mistakes," said Bernstorff. "The car feels really good, and it's a nice confidence boost to finish the final test quickest, particularly at the track we'll race on first."

Bernstorff's team-mate and Red Bull junior Alex Lynn completed the top three, with day one pacesetter Nick Yelloly making it three Brits in the top four places.

Dean Stoneman was fastest for the Marussia Formula 1-affiliated Manor team in the afternoon session, although times for the whole field were a long way adrift of the morning. Varhaug was second again, with rookie Roman de Beer third for Trident.

Three red flags affected the running, caused by incidents for Denis Nagulin and Victor Carbone, and Patric Niederhauser coming to a halt on the circuit.

The 2014 GP3 driver lineup also took a step closer to completion on Thursday when Koiranen announced that it had signed Carmen Jorda for her third season in the category.

The GP3 season starts as part of the Spanish Grand Prix support bill at Barcelona in three weeks' time.

Originally on Autosport.com