Friday practice: Montin sets the pace

Montin topped the timesheets in both periods for even-numbered cars, setting his best lap at the end of the afternoon's session.

"We've had problems with the handling of the car in the first two corners," he said. "But I felt a lot more comfortable in the second session and we're looking strong."

The TOM'S Toyota driver finished marginally ahead of British racer Andy Priaulx. Frenchman Jonathan Cochet headed up both practice sessions for odd-numbered cars but finished the day third overall.

"We've had to build up an entirely different monocoque since my shunt in Macau," said Cochet. "It took time to adapt it to my individual needs but now I'm feeling confident because the car feels very good."

Formula 3 returnees Narain Karthikeyan and Andre Couto suffered mixed fortunes. The Indian, who was drafted in by Carlin Motorsport after the team's regular driver Anthony Davidson was injured at Macau, failed to set any competitive times before slamming into a tyre barrier in the opening session.

Team mate Andre Couto, replacing Carlin's Japanese star Takuma Sato, returned to F3 for the first time since racing in Korea in 2000. He adapted steadily to his new surroundings, ending the day eighth fastest.