Meindert Van Buuren ended up on top of the first day of Auto GP testing at Jerez De La Frontera. The Dutchman, who was a constant feature this season in the Coloni-promoted championship, drove the championship-winning car of Super Nova International and logged the fastest lap of the day in 1’31”776 during the AM Session. Ending up behind him, 0.4 seconds adrift was Colombian female racer Tatiana Calderon (Virtuosi UK). For women power it turned out to be a shining day as Super Nova International runner Michela Cerruti rounded out the top-3, less than 1 second away from the lead.

While Calderon was the best rookie in standings, Formula Abarth Champion Alessio Rovera tamed his 550-horsepower Zytek engine remarkably well, ending up in fourth for Ibiza Racing Team. Current European Formula 3 Open Copa class leader Richard Gonda, driving for Zele Racing, held the final top-5 spot at the end of the morning segment.

In the PM session it was Hungarian Tamas Pal Kiss to set the pace, as he drove for Virtuosi UK to lap in 1’31”886. Van Buuren ended up in second, 0”107 away, while Euronova Racing’s 2013 runner-up Kimiya Sato finished in third. Gonda kept impressing in fourth followed by Pietro Fantin, who also turned heads with the experience gained recently and the ease in gaining the right confidence with the Auto GP car. Ghinzani lined-up Formula Abarth runner-up Michele Beretta, who constantly kept his name in the top-10, and Jordan Oon. The Australian also had to approach a new car after moving up from the Formula 3 ranks at the end of a positive season.

Last but not least, Sergio Campana brought on-track some car upgrades aimed at the 2014 season. Testing will resume tomorrow, Tuesday October 29th, with two sessions from 9 to 12 and from 14 to 17.