Kevin Magnussen set the pace during Formula Renault 3.5 free practice at Paul Ricard on Friday.
The Carlin driver, who lost victory last time out at the Hungaroring on the final lap when his gearbox broke, moved to the top of the times in France just before the afternoon session entered its final five minutes.
Magnussen's effort demoted Alexander Rossi to second, after the American had taken top spot from title contender Sam Bird 10 minutes earlier.
A late improvement from Nick Yelloly completed a good day for the Briton. The Comtec driver had led the way in the morning session, which took place in sunnier conditions than the afternoon running.
Yelloly's time dropped championship leader Robin Frijns to fourth. The Dutchman did at least get ahead of title rival Bird near the end, but he had to return to the pits with the help of a tow-truck after stopping at Turn 2 in the closing moments of the day's running.
Rossi's teammate Antonio Felix da Costa completed a good day for Arden Caterham in sixth. That meant the team, which took its first win last time out, had both cars in the top six in both sessions.
The championship's other contender, Ferrari junior Jules Bianchi, had a quiet day. After setting the 13th quickest time in the morning, he spent much of the afternoon session towards the bottom of the times. He got as high as 11th during his final run, but eventually ended up 15th.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Kevin Magnussen Carlin 1m47.416s 20
2. Alexander Rossi Arden Caterham 1m47.657s + 0.241 22
3. Nick Yelloly Comtec Racing 1m47.659s + 0.243 24
4. Robin Frijns Fortec Motorsports 1m48.017s + 0.601 17
5. Sam Bird ISR 1m48.027s + 0.611 21
6. A.F.da Costa Arden Caterham 1m48.044s + 0.628 25
7. Carlos Huertas Fortec Motorsports 1m48.184s + 0.768 27
8. Mikhail Aleshin Team RFR 1m48.211s + 0.795 23
9. Andre Negrao Draco 1m48.309s + 0.893 28
10. Nico Müller Draco 1m48.345s + 0.929 20
11. Davide Rigon BVM Target 1m48.392s + 0.976 20
12. Marco Sørensen Lotus 1m48.420s + 1.004 23
13. Arthur Pic DAMS 1m48.438s + 1.022 23
14. Daniil Move P1 Motorsport 1m48.464s + 1.048 23
15. Jules Bianchi Tech 1 Racing 1m48.497s + 1.081 22
16. Lucas Foresti DAMS 1m48.583s + 1.167 24
17. Jake Rosenzweig ISR 1m48.698s + 1.282 21
18. Daniel Abt Tech 1 Racing 1m48.783s + 1.367 25
19. V.Ghirelli Comtec Racing 1m49.266s + 1.850 25
20. Aaro Vainio Team RFR 1m49.390s + 1.974 8
21. Kevin Korjus Lotus 1m49.562s + 2.146 8
22. N.Martsenko BVM Target 1m49.586s + 2.170 22
23. W.Grubmüller P1 Motorsport 1m49.772s + 2.356 22
24. Yann Cunha Pons Racing 1m49.829s + 2.413 25
25. Zoel Amberg Pons Racing 1m51.011s + 3.595 18
26. Will Stevens Carlin No time
Morning times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Nick Yelloly Comtec Racing 1m48.964s 19
2. Arthur Pic DAMS 1m49.222s + 0.258 19
3. Alexander Rossi Arden Caterham 1m49.418s + 0.454 15
4. Kevin Magnussen Carlin 1m49.426s + 0.462 10
5. Sam Bird ISR 1m49.493s + 0.529 20
6. A.F.da Costa Arden Caterham 1m49.628s + 0.664 17
7. Kevin Korjus Lotus 1m49.661s + 0.697 14
8. Nico Müller Draco Racing 1m49.677s + 0.713 19
9. V.Ghirelli Comtec Racing 1m49.750s + 0.786 21
10. Carlos Huertas Fortec Motorsports 1m49.920s + 0.956 21
11. Aaro Vainio Team RFR 1m49.944s + 0.980 19
12. Mikhail Aleshin Team RFR 1m50.015s + 1.051 17
13. Jules Bianchi Tech 1 Racing 1m50.064s + 1.100 19
14. Andre Negrao Draco Racing 1m50.310s + 1.346 21
15. Robin Frijns Fortec Motorsports 1m50.374s + 1.410 20
16. Marco Sørensen Lotus 1m50.383s + 1.419 16
17. Daniil Move P1 Motorsport 1m50.451s + 1.487 12
18. Daniel Abt Tech 1 Racing 1m50.559s + 1.595 21
19. Davide Rigon BVM Target 1m50.577s + 1.613 19
20. W.Grubmüller P1 Motorsport 1m50.584s + 1.620 15
21. Jake Rosenzweig ISR 1m50.752s + 1.788 20
22. Lucas Foresti DAMS 1m51.261s + 2.297 9
23. N.Martsenko BVM Target 1m51.540s + 2.576 16
24. Will Stevens Carlin 1m51.721s + 2.757 17
25. Yann Cunha Pons Racing 1m51.974s + 3.010 17
26. Zoel Amberg Pons Racing No time