Rookie Christian Lundgaard led the first day of the final Formula Renault Eurocup pre-season test, held in mixed conditions at the Nurburgring.
With the circuit being shared with ADAC Formula 4 teams, the day was split into four 45-minute sessions which were all affected by rain.
The best times came in the third session, when double Formula 4 champion Lundgaard posted a 1m58.580s on slick tyres to lead fellow Renault Sport Academy ace Max Fewtrell by 0.228s.
“It is always tricky to run on a drying track, but it is even more so when it is your first time at the Nurburgring,” said MP Motorsport driver Lundgaard.
“I think I did a good job using the dry parts of the track to post the best time. I was pleased with my lap and it is a real confidence boost to be up front.
“This winter, we were often in the top five. This is in line with our goals, but now we have to see if we can bring it all together. The first race of the season will be really interesting.”
Pre-season pace-setter Yifei Ye was third in front of rookies Logan Sargeant and Lorenzo Colombo, with Alex Peroni rounding out the top six.
Although only 16th in that session, Lundgaard’s former F4 rival Alexander Smolyar impressed in the wet, topping the second and fourth sessions with times of 2m08.649s and 2m11.836s respectively.
Ye beat the Russian to top spot in the opening session with a time of 2m17.763s.