Speed Fastest Overall at Paul Ricard

All of the teams competing in this year's debut season ran one car each, alternating over the sessions between drivers as needed. The approach had its problems - the drivers were obviously less than thrilled, with Nico Rosberg noting that the test was difficult at times "because I had to watch Alex [Premat] drive, which is always slightly frustrating!"

Teething problems notwithstanding, the teams reported a far less troublesome running than at the initial test two weeks prior, as could be expected. iSport boss Paul Jackson was among those singing from the GP2 hymn book, noting: "A lot of the gremlins and brake problems that we experienced over the course of the first test have now been resolved, which has enabled us to begin a true test program, working on various setups and modifications."

It certainly seemed to work for them - iSport were the fastest over the three days in the hands of Scott Speed, who put in the fastest lap late on day three, clocked at 1m18.811s.

Rosberg was next fastest on the final day, although the time was only good enough for fourth over the whole test (GP2 have only released combined times for the three days). He was most impressed with how the team was working towards understanding the new cars: "I really like the way engineers work, they are very precise; the programme is planned well ahead and unchanged throughout the day.

"I drove well from the beginning in the car, we made good progress in the afternoon and I am positive, even if I am aware of the important amount of work that needs to be done."

At the completion of the test the Durango team were feted at a party in the nearby Automobile Club de Monaco - driver Clivio Piccione is Monegasque, and Prince Albert was on hand to wish he and teammate Ferdinando Monfardini luck. After finishing eleventh overall they appear to need it - any series that has all teams split by just 1.5 seconds is going to be challenge.

Delivery of the second cars will be carried out over the next week or two, ahead of a further test at Paul Ricard opening on April 4.

GP2 Testing times, Paul Ricard - March 8-10:

Pos  Team                       Time       Day     Laps
 1.  iSport International       1:18.811  (day 3)  202
 2.  BCN Competicion            1:18.820  (day 2)  135
 3.  Super Nova                 1:19.064  (day 2)  208
 4.  ART Grand Prix             1:19.345  (day 3)  199
 5.  Hitech Piquet Sports       1:19.386  (day 1)  229
 6.  Coloni Motorsport          1:19.408  (day 3)  183
 7.  DPR                        1:19.724  (day 3)  189
 8.  Arden International        1:19.819  (day 2)  176
 9.  Racing Engineering         1:19.853  (day 3)  190
10.  Dams                       1:19.884  (day 3)  201
11.  Durango                    1:20.175  (day 3)  259
12.  Campos Racing              1:20.266  (day 2)  180