Fantin fastest in Jerez FR3.5 test

Pietro Fantin set the pace on the first day of post-season Formula Renault 3.5 testing at Jerez on Tuesday. The Brazilian, staying on with his 2014 team Draco, set the fastest lap in both races at the same track last weekend, and he led the way from Lotus pairing Alex Fontana and Matthieu Vaxiviere during the faster morning session.

"We improved the car," said Fantin. "While I set the best time in both races, the car lacked consistency. We ran new tires this morning, but I think it was a little too late.

"For 2015 we are likely to be back. We were unlucky this season, but we have never doubted the potential."

The only driver to improve his time in the afternoon session was GP3 frontrunner Dean Stoneman, who led the way comfortably from Oscar Tunjo to move himself up to ninth overall for the day.

The rest of the top six was completed by drivers with previous FR3.5 experience, as Jerez podium finisher Nicholas Latifi (switching from Tech 1 to Strakka) led Luca Ghiotto (switching from Draco to Fortec) and Beitske Visser, who stayed with AVF.

Jordan King was next up in seventh for Arden, while behind Tunjo and Stoneman, McLaren junior Nyck de Vries completed the top 10 on his first day driving a car faster than a Formula Renault 2.0.

"I am pretty satisfied with the day, especially this morning," said the 2014 Formula Renault Eurocup champion, who drove for his 2015 team DAMS. "We did a really good job with the fresh tires, yet we should have done this afternoon with new tyres.

"I felt good physically and I really liked the car. I enjoyed it a lot."

Only 19 cars were in action at the test. AVF, Comtec (which missed the season finale) and Tech 1 only ran one car each, while Zeta Corse, which fought for the title this year with Roberto Merhi, was not in action. The test concludes on Wednesday.