GP3: Ocon fastest in gloomy Sochi practice

Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon topped GP3 practice at an increasingly dark and damp Sochi. By the time the session was brought to an end the Sochi Autodrom was in almost complete darkness, with the sun completely setting just moments after.

The session was red flagged late on when Status Grand Prix driver Alex Fontana was caught out by the conditions and spun at Turn 3, before making contact with the barrier. No one could improve when the session was restarted, which ensured Ocon remained at the top of the time sheets.

The Frenchman finished the session 0.207 seconds ahead of Jenzer Motorsport's Ralph Boschung, who briefly jumped to the top, before Ocon deposed him.

Ocon's ART Grand Prix team-mate Marvin Kirchhofer was the pacesetter for much of the session but was edged out by Boschung.

Arden International's Kevin Ceccon was fourth, with championship leader and Trident driver Luca Ghiotto close behind in fifth. Ghiotto spent most of the session outside of the top 10 but was able to improve before the red flag.

Alex Palou and Jimmy Eriksson were Campos and Koiranen's lead runners in sixth and seventh. Emil Bernstorff and Status GP teammates Sandy Stuvik and Seb Morris rounded out the top 10.

Nissan protege Jann Mardenborough set the initial pace early on but fell down to 18th by the end of the session. His Carlin teammate and Ferrari junior Antonio Fuoco finished 22nd.

Originally on Autosport.com