Magnussen and Bottas star in Formula Renault 3.5 test

 Formula Renault 3.5 rookies Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen starred in the opening day of post-season testing at Circuit de Catalunya yesterday, the Finn topping the timesheets in the morning before Danish racer Magnussen set the pace in the afternoon run.

Bottas, winner of this year's GP3 Series and a former Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup champion, got behind the wheel of a Tech 1-prepared machine. A new tyre run during the morning session allowed the 22-year-old to take full advantage of the climbing track temperature and record a lap of 1m33.897s. Fellow GP3 man Nick Yelloly (ISR) was second fastest, two tenths shy of Bottas, with 2011 race-winner Kevin Korjus third in the second Tech 1 machine.

Bottas is thought likely to step-up to GP2 in 2012, but has left the door open for a move to 3.5: "We don’t know where we’re going to be driving next season," said the Finn, "though Formula Renault 3.5 Series is one of the options we’re looking into at the moment.”

The afternoon run saw Magnussen (Carlin) beat Bottas' time, the 2011 British F3 runner-up setting a 1m33.598s to edge out Walter Grubmuller (P1) and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (Comtec). The son of ex-F1 racer Jan was clear on his desire to go full-time in the series with Carlin next season.

“I took part in Formula Renault 3.5 Series collective testing with Pons Racing in 2009 and 2010, and it was good to do these tests with Carlin, my F3 team, here today,” said the 19-year-old.

“I know the way they work and I feel right at home. I’d love to carry on with them in 2012 and in this event.”

A total of nine were getting their maiden runs in 3.5 machinery at the Spanish venue, including British F3 front-runners Carlos Huertas (Fortec) and Lucas Foresti (Comtec), GP3 race-winners Rio Haryanto and Nico Muller (both with Epic Racing), and F3 Euro Series racer Daniel Abt (Pons).

The test continues at the Spanish track today.

Watch Formula Renault 3.5 highlights on Motors TV


James Weeks