Home News Merhi in control as Formula Renault 3.5 test kicks off at Jerez

Merhi in control as Formula Renault 3.5 test kicks off at Jerez

by Valentin Khorounzhiy
Photo: Antonin Grenier / DPPI / Renault Sport Media

Photo: Antonin Grenier / DPPI / Renault Sport Media

Pons Racing’s new recruit Roberto Merhi set the fastest time in the opening session of the Formula Renault 3.5 pre-season test at Jerez.

Merhi, who finished third in the series last year and won three races, took over at the top with more than two hours to go and went unmatched until the checkered flag.

His best lap was four tenths clear of nearest rival Tio Ellinas, who was the only other driver to clock in a time below the 1:28s mark.

DAMS signing Dean Stoneman took third on his return to 3.5 testing.

The first official session of Formula Renault’s 2015 season kicked off in suitably hectic fashion, with a whopping eight red flag periods interrupting the running.

Pietro Fantin was among those who caused the stoppages, but ended up fourth despite hitting the wall.

Fortec’s Jazeman Jaafar was fifth ahead of Arden duo Nicholas Latifi and Egor Orudzhev and his own squadmate Oliver Rowland.

Gustav Malja of Strakka and Johnny Cecotto of Zeta rounded out the top ten.

Session results
Pos. Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1 Roberto Merhi Pons Racing 1:27.579 17
2 Tio Ellinas Strakka Racing 1:27.994 0.415 26
3 Dean Stoneman DAMS 1:28.105 0.526 30
4 Pietro Fantin International Draco Racing 1:28.165 0.586 21
5 Jazeman Jaafar Fortec Motorsports 1:28.205 0.626 17
6 Nicholas Latifi Arden Motorsport 1:28.250 0.671 32
7 Egor Orudzhev Arden Motorsport 1:28.470 0.891 36
8 Oliver Rowland Fortec Motorsports 1:28.473 0.894 12
9 Gustav Malja Strakka Racing 1:28.870 1.291 13
10 Johnny Cecotto Zeta Corse 1:29.112 1.533 30
11 Beitske Visser AVF 1:29.278 1.699 11
12 Meindert van Buuren Lotus 1:29.457 1.878 8
13 Bruno Bonifacio International Draco Racing 1:29.496 1.917 24
14 Patric Armand Pons Racing 1:29.614 2.035 28
15 Aurelien Panis Tech 1 Racing 1:29.660 2.081 36
16 Nyck de Vries DAMS 1:29.788 2.209 13
17 Tom Dillmann Jagonya Ayam with Carlin 1:30.174 2.595 13
18 Alfonso Celis AVF 1:30.415 2.836 8
19 Facu Regalia Zeta Corse 1:30.620 3.041 31
20 Sean Gelael Jagonya Ayam with Carlin 1:30.924 3.345 24
21 Matthieu Vaxiviere Lotus 1:32.090 4.511 6
22 Roy Nissany Tech 1 Racing 1:33.950 6.371 8