Fortec pairing Cesar Ramos and Alexander Rossi led Friday's second Formula Renault 3.5 practice session at Motorland Aragon. Reigning Italian Formula 3 champion Ramos had the honor of the fastest time, shading his American teammate by just 0.001sec.
"Well, I am little bit frustrated, but it is very close," said Rossi, after occupying first position for much of the session. "The track feels a little different from how it did in [the March] test, there's more rubber down but there is not so much grip. The wind has also changed, some corners it is quicker and some slower."
On home soil, EPIC Racing's Albert Costa finished the afternoon in third. P1 Motorsport's Daniil Move repeated his strong morning form with fourth.
London-born American Jake Rosenzweig had a spell at the top of the time sheets, before ending the day in an encouraging fifth for Mofaz Racing.
Canada's Robert Wickens will be looking for a strong points haul this weekend, as potential title rival Daniel Ricciardo is absent on clashing Formula 1 practice duties for Toro Rosso in China. Wickens' solitary Carlin machine finished the session in a solid sixth.
Lewis Williamson, Ricciardo's stand-in at ISR, was a respectable 13th. The Scot traveled from Barcelona's GP3 test on Thursday for a seat fitting with the Czech team last night. The MW Arden GP3 man was, understandably, using Friday practice to acclimatize to his new environment.
"Every run I did we were getting quicker, so you can see there's more to come," said Williamson. "I am still getting used to the brakes; how you apply them and how you come off them. Opportunities like this can come at any time during a season, and I need to be in a position where I can just jump in and grasp them with two hands.
"I am proud that I was considered for this drive. I'm not saying that I can achieve on my first weekend in the series what Ricciardo can do when he's really on it, but I am with one of the best teams, if not the best team, and I want to do justice to what the car and the team is capable of."