James Jakes surprises in practice

However, it was not him who had set the best time in the first session of the morning. This performance goes to Michael Herck (DPR). The Romanian set a reference time of 1:48:447, taking over from James Jakes (Team Coloni), author of the second fastest time of the session, less than a tenth behind (1:48:530). The top three is completed by Robert Wickens (iSport International) who finishes two tenths behind the Briton (1:48'761).

Michael Herck having completed a full season with the DPR team this year, the credit goes more to the following two drivers. Robert Wickens, 2010 world vice-champion in GP3, has never taken part in a GP2 race. If James Jakes has played two this season with his current team, his performance this afternoon reassures about his skills.

The Scuderia Coloni driver set the best time (1:47:790) in the second session of the day. He is ahead of Esteban Gutierrez (1:48:209), 2010 GP3 Series Champion with ART Grand Prix, who presents himself as a serious contender for the 2011 season. Charles Pic (Barwa Addax Team) shares third time with Rodolfo Gonzales (Racing Engineering). The two drivers set exactly the same time: 1:48:302.

We then find Robert Wickens (1), followed by Stefano Coletti (48), the Trident Racing driver from Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Michael Herck (1), the author of the best time in the first session, achieved the eighth in the afternoon session.