DPR's Michael Herck set the pace on the first day of testing at Le Castellet, the last winter test session for GP2

On the 3D configuration and under bright sunshine, Herck posted the best lap time this morning one tenth quicker than rookie Oliver Turvey of iSport International.

GP2 Asia race winner Christian Vietoris confirmed his good form: at the wheel of the Fat Burner Racing Engineer car, the German completed this morning's Top 3, only five-thousands slower than Turvey. Thirteen drivers posted times within one second of one another and five rookies finished in the top 10.

In the afternoon session, Herck claimed again the top spot, improving his time by seven-tenths. Already quick in GP2 Asia third season opening event in Abu Dhabi Fabio Leimer (Fat Burner Racing Engineering) and Sam Bird (ART Grand Prix) completed the Top 3, the Swiss ace finishing best rookie of the day. In fourth, Turvey continued to make a good impression while GP2 Asia Series leader Davide Valsecchi finished with the fifth quickest time of the day at the wheel of the second iSport car.

This test session will continue tomorrow when Roldan Rodriguez (Racing Engineering), Jules Bianchi (ART), Marcus Ericsson (Arden), Josef Kral (Super Nova), Kazimeras Vasiliauskas (Trident), Andrea Caldarelli (Party Poker) and Antonio Felix da Costa (Ocean Racing) will join the session.