Bruni excels in Fortec F3000 test.

British Formula Three front-runner Gianmaria Bruni recorded the second fastest time in an F3000 test at Jerez - beating some of the series established frontrunners.

The Fortec Motorsport website reports that the Italian adapted superbly to the alien environment, to finish the first day of the test second only to Darren Manning. What impressed the team most however was that it was the first time the nineteen -year-old had driven an F3000 car, or seen the circuit.

Bruni's fastest time was set on just his seventeenth lap of the Spanish circuit and would only be bettered by Manning at the end of the day - despite the presence of F3000 regulars such as Andrea Piccini and Tomas Enge, as well as Manning.

The performance earned praise from Fortec's experienced Race Engineer Paul Crosby, who said, "Gimmi (Bruni's nickname) is probably one of best young drivers that I have seen for a long time, I think he has all the ability and talent required to succeed at the highest levels of motorsport." Praise indeed from a man who has previously worked with Jean Alesi, Gil de Ferran and David Coulthard.

Bruni, who drove for Fortec in this years British F3 Championship, gave his opinion of the test, "After being really satisfied with our performance in the first day, we decided to use the second days session, in running the car on race set-up, in order for me to experience all the aspects of an F3000 machine, trying to produced consistently quick lap times. I am very happy with my performance and I look forward in any new challenge that will come along".