Prema’s Mick Schumacher clocked the quickest time of the week as Formula 2’s opening pre-season test concluded at Jerez on Thursday.
Reigning European Formula 3 Champion Schumacher set a time of 1:24.028 to finished over two-tenths clear of Renault F1 tester Jack Aitken, who has switched to Campos for 2019.
Schumacher was nonetheless the culprit for one of the day’s red flags when he spun and stopped at the final corner, though he was able to return to action thereafter.
Second-placed Aitken finished just 0.007s clear of Louis Deletraz (Carlin), while Williams F1 reserve Nicholas Latifi (DAMS) finished close behind in fourth.
Erstwhile pacesetter Nyck de Vries was fifth for ART Grand Prix, ahead of Campos tester Dorian Boccolacci and Trident’s Giuliano Alesi.
UNI-Virtuosi veteran Luca Ghiotto, Schumacher’s Prema team-mate Sean Gelael and MP Motorsport newcomer Richard Verschoor rounded out the top 10.
All of the quickest times came during the morning session as teams switched focus to long runs in the afternoon.
Formula 2’s second (and final) pre-season test takes place at Barcelona next week.
