Ex-F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi tops Super Formula test at Okayama

The Japanese topped both sessions during the series' 'manufacturer test', setting his best time of 1m11.769s towards the end of the day during a qualifying simulation run.

Kobayashi's best lap put him six tenths of a second clear of Nissan protege Jann Mardenborough, who was driving for the Toyota-powered Team Impul.

The Briton's morning running had been curtailed when a brake problem sent him off the track at the first corner, bringing out a red flag.

IndyCar racer and ex-F1 driver Takuma Sato was third quickest in Honda's test car, making him the only other driver to get within one second of Kobayashi's best.

2014 Super Formula champion Kazuki Nakajima ended the day with the fifth-fastest time overall.

After being second to Kobayashi in the morning session, Nakajima's afternoon running was hindered by an exhaust problem on the Toyota test car, which limited him to just six laps.

Just ahead of Nakajima in the top five was 2013 GP2 champion Fabio Leimer, having his first experience of the Japanese series with Team Mugen.

The test continues on Thursday, but most teams got through a busy programme on day one as rain is expected for the second day.

Pos Driver              Team                   Time/Gap
 1. Kamui Kobayashi     Team Le Mans-Toyota    1m11.769s
 2. Jann Mardenborough  Team Impul-Toyota      +0.632s
 3. Takuma Sato         Honda test car         +0.782s
 4. Fabio Leimer        Team Mugen-Honda       +1.123s
 5. Kazuki Nakajima     Toyota test car        +1.391s
 6. Tsugio Matsuda      KCMG-Toyota            +1.459s
 7. Daiki Sasaki        Kondo Racing-Toyota    +1.648s
 8. Toshihiro Kaneishi  Real Racing-Honda      +1.889s
 9. Bertrand Baguette   Nakajima Racing-Honda  +2.398s
10. Kotaro Sakurai      Real Racing-Honda      +2.744s