Niederhauser tops second day of Barcelona GP3 test

?Photo: Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service

Patric Niederhauser posted the fastest time on the second and final day of the second GP3 Series pre-season test at Barcelona.

The Swiss driver finished the morning session 0.426 seconds ahead of compatriot and Jenzer teammate Alex Fontana, with his time 4.2 seconds better than what the previous GP3 car managed at the circuit last year.

?I have so much fun driving the second generation car, it?s very challenging,? said Niederhauser, seventh in last year?s standings in a strong rookie season.

?The speed differential between the GP3/13 and GP3/10 car is immense and I feel there are still improvements to come within the car set-up as this is only the second test.

?Driver skill is really tested as you have to adapt your driving style to suit the needs and the power of the machine. Fast corners are much trickier to control. Tyre management is even more important this year and it?s the perfect preparation to learn and progress to GP2 and Formula 1.?

Marussia Manor duo Tio Ellinas and Nick Cassidy kept up their good form in third and fourth as they chase race deals with the team.

Giovanni Venturini took fifth place for Trident ahead of MW Arden?s Daniil Kvyat and ART pair Jack Harvey and Facu Regalia. Dino Zamparelli and Conor Daly completed the top ten.

Heavy rain began to fall during the morning and continued into the afternoon, preventing any more quick running. Aaro Vainio set the best time in the difficult conditions, 20 seconds off Niederhauser?s morning time.

Harvey and Daly were next ahead of Vainio?s teammate at newcomers Koiranen, Kevin Korjus. Argentines Eric Lichtenstein and Regalia were fifth and sixth ahead of Venturini, Jimmy Eriksson, Nick Yelloly and Zamparelli.

The third and final pre-season test takes place at Silverstone on 3-4 April.

Morning session

Afternoon session