FR3.5 testing: Antonio Felix da Costa sets record Barcelona pace
Red Bull junior Antonio Felix da Costa led the way on the first day of the final Formula Renault 3.5 pre-season test at Barcelona
The Arden Caterham driver edged out morning pacesetter Kevin Magnussen by less than one tenth of a second, as several cars smashed the lap record set by da Costa in last season's finale.
Just behind McLaren junior racer Magnussen was a third driver with an association to a Formula 1 team, as Lotus-backed Marco Sorensen headed Will Stevens.
Up next was another McLaren protege in FR3.5 rookie Stoffel Vandoorne - one of only two drivers to set his fastest time in the morning running.
Da Costa, who finished the morning running - which was mainly focused on race runs - seven tenths down on Magnussen, said: "It's great to finish the day like this.
"The car was a little off balance to start with but we did some good work and got back on our feet.
"I can't wait to get out there tomorrow because we are planning to try out a few new set ups."
Combined test times: Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Antonio Felix da Costa Arden Caterham 1m28.935s 2. Kevin Magnussen DAMS 1m29.002s + 0.067s 3. Marco Sorensen Lotus 1m29.143s + 0.208s 4. Will Stevens P1 1m29.229s + 0.294s 5. Stoffel Vandoorne Fortec 1m29.410s + 0.475s 6. Nico Muller Draco 1m29.458s + 0.523s 7. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin 1m29.496s + 0.561s 8. Carlos Huertas Carlin 1m29.639s + 0.704s 9. Norman Nato DAMS 1m29.680s + 0.745s 10. Sergey Sirotkin ISR 1m29.703s + 0.768s 11. Marlon Stockinger Lotus 1m29.737s + 0.802s 12. Arthur Pic AV 1m29.772s + 0.837s 13. Pietro Fantin Arden Caterham 1m29.937s + 1.002s 14. Oliver Webb Fortec 1m29.953s + 1.018s 15. Nigel Melker Tech 1 1m30.037s + 1.102s 16. Matias Laine P1 1m30.248s + 1.313s 17. Lucas Foresti Comtec 1m30.288s + 1.353s 18. Daniil Move Comtec 1m30.373s + 1.438s 19. Christopher Zanella ISR 1m30.416s + 1.481s 20. Andre Negrao Draco 1m30.474s + 1.539s 21. Nikolay Martsenko Pons 1m30.525s + 1.590s 22. Mikhail Aleshin Tech 1 1m30.565s + 1.630s 23. Zoel Amberg Pons 1m30.633s + 1.698s 24. Yann Cunha AV 1m30.819s + 1.884s 25. Mihai Marinescu Zeta 1m31.044s + 2.109s 26. Dino Zamperelli Zeta 1m31.090s + 2.155s
Christopher Zanella switches to Formula Renault 3.5 with ISR
Barcelona FR3.5 testing: Will Stevens leads final full day
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
When Renault ended its support of its 3.5 Formula, there were fears about the category's future. But as PETER MILLS explains, the rebadged FV8 3.5 series has retained an appeal to drivers
An era ended in 2015 as Renault withdrew its backing of Formula Renault 3.5. GLENN FREEMAN and PETER MILLS pick the 10 best drivers from the World Series by Renault years
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2015
The 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 season will be notable for being the last with the French company's backing but also produced a worthy champion in Oliver Rowland. PETER MILLS evaluates this year's crop of drivers
Since 2005 the World Series by Renault package has launched a host of young stars on the path to Formula 1. But there's much more to the events, both on and off the track
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2014
The field was perhaps not as strong as in the previous season, but Carlos Sainz Jr emerged as a worthy Formula Renault 3.5 champion. GLENN FREEMAN rates the top 2014 drivers
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2013
There were some standout performances in the Formula Renault 3.5 title race this year, but one racer stood above all the others. GLENN FREEMAN looks back and picks out his top 10 drivers
The 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 grid guide
Last year's field was extraordinary and hard to match, but the Formula Renault 3.5 grid will still have plenty of talent this season. Glenn Freeman runs through the field ahead of this weekend's season opener
Vandoorne: future McLaren F1 star?
Landing the Fortec seat that took rising star Robin Frijns to the 2012 FR3.5 title was already a good sign for Stoffel Vandoorne. Then McLaren took him under its wing. Peter Mills tells Vandoorne's story so far