Ex-F1 driver Montoya tops Bahrain WEC rookie test with Porsche
Juan Pablo Montoya recorded the fastest lap in the official World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain
The two-time Indy 500 winner, who was testing for Porsche, set a best lap of 1m40.861s on a qualification simulation with 10 minutes of the second three-hour session remaining.
That lap compared with the 1m39.670s best from qualifying for this weekend's Bahrain WEC finale, set by Timo Bernhard in the same Porsche 919 Hybrid.
Porsche LMP1 team principal Andreas Seidl said: "We were very impressed by everything Juan did.
"He was very professional and quick straight away - he did a 1m45s on his first flying lap."
Seidl pointed out that track conditions were not as conducive to fast times as during qualifying on Friday evening.
Aston Martin GT driver Richie Stanaway was second fastest in his try-out for Audi aboard one of its R18 e-tron quattros.
The New Zealander set a 1m42.134s in the afternoon session early on in a nine-lap run.
Mitch Evans recorded third best time in the championship-winning #17 Porsche, which had undergone an engine change overnight after its problems in the WEC race, with a 1m42.946s during a 10-lap run.
The best Toyota time over the five hours of testing was set a 1m43.779s set by Anthony Davidson, which compared with the 1m45.318s recorded by the Japanese manufacturer's nominated rookie, Sam Bird.
Fastest in LMP2 was Formula 3 driver Matthew Rao on a 1m52.026s aboard the Signatech Alpine ORECA-Nissan 03R.
That was just six hundredths quicker than GP2 racer Julian Leal in the same car.
The best time in GTE was set by Porsche Supercup champion Philipp Eng on a 2m00.349s, which was just two tenths quicker than Nicky Catsburg aboard the sister Manthey Porsche 919 RSR.
The best of the six Aston Martin Evolution Academy drivers being given a first run in a Vantage GTE was Matt Bell on a 2m02.148s.
Aston Martin Racing also tested a Vantage in 2016 specification after converting its #97 race car overnight.
BAHRAIN TOP TIMES:
Juan Pablo Montoya Porsche 1m40.861s
Richie Stanway Audi 1m42.134s
Mitch Evans Porsche 1m42.946s
Anthony Davidson Toyota 1m43.779s
Mike Conway Toyota 1m43.815s
Benoit Treluyer Audi 1m44.431s
VIDEO - PORSCHE REVIEWS TEST:
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