Lariche ends Portimao test on top

The Frenchaman finished 14th in this year's championship with a best finish of sixth, but improved from third fastest yesterday to top today's running.

"It's good for the confidence to feel fastest," said Lariche. "After one year I feel comfortable in the F2 car, but the test helps because it gives you more time to analyse the data and try things on the car.

"To be fastest is the most important thing though and after two days I set the fastest time against guys like [Antonio Felix] da Costa and [Jolyon] Palmer, so I feel good. Hopefully now I can do the same at Barcelona - I know the track, so I hope to get another good result there."

Brundle was second quickest to Clarke yesterday and repeated that performance to beat his countryman to second spot today, with Clarke ending up third despite setting the pace for most of the day.

Ramon Pineiro, Jolyon Palmer and Max Snegirev completed the top six runners, with F2 newcomers Mikkel Mac, Bruno Mendez, Jose Alonso Liste, Andre Negrao and Thiemo Storz filling seventh to 11th places.

F2's winter testing continues at Barcelona next Thursday and Friday.

Pos Driver                  Time/Gap
 1. Benjamin Lariche       1m34.619s
 2. Alex Brundle             +0.103s
 3. Jack Clarke              +0.166s
 4. Ramon Pineiro            +0.395s
 5. Jolyon Palmer            +0.497s
 6. Max Snegirev             +1.023s
 7. Mikkel Mac               +1.080s
 8. Bruno Mendez             +1.146s
 9. Jose Alonso Liste        +1.483s
10. Andre Negrao             +1.611s
11. Thiemo Storz             +1.636s
12. Plamen Kralev            +1.819s
13. Natalia Kowalska         +1.886s