Zimmer and Chatin top Paul Ricard Tests.

Paul-Loup Chatin (Tech 1 Racing) and Yann Zimmer (Arta Engineering) topped the two free practice sessions ahead of the penultimate round of the 2011 Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS, being held at Paul Ricard this weekend, alongside the World Series by Renault.

The morning times were considerably slower than those set during the afternoon and it was local driver Chatin who topped the times during the morning session, setting a 2m08.211s, which was three tenths faster than Hungaroring podium finisher, Vittorio Ghirelli (One Racing) while the top five was rounded out by Russian Roman Mavlanov (Boetti Racing Team), Zimmer and Championship leader Javier Tarancon (Tech 1 Racing).

It was Zimmer who was the fastest during the second session, setting a 2m07.205s to beat Hungaroring race winner Chatin into second – with just six points between Zimmer and Chatin, the battle for second is still very much on – while, as in the first session, Mavlanov finished third fastest.

The top six drivers in the second session were covered by seven tenths of a second, with Melville McKee (Arta Engineering), Ghirelli and Christof Von Grunigen (Daltec Racing) rounding out the top six – Von Grunigen was the last driver to break the 2m08 barrier.

Pau podium finisher Kevin Gilardoni (Team Torino Motorsport) suffered from set up problems and struggled during the two free practice sessions. He is currently the top Italian in the Championship standings.

Qualifying ahead of rounds eleven and twelve takes place at 18.50 – 19.15, with the two races starting at 11.30 and 18.25. Both races are due to run for 25 minutes.