Rookie F1

The last day for the first test in Barcelona ended in a wet affair that saw numerous drivers trigger the red flag throughout the session. But through the chaos Hamilton prevailed and finished the day on top, and although conditions prevented too much working being done the new Mercedes driver was unconcerned and set the first time of the day. Hamilton made the most of the breaks in the weather to set the best time in the morning, but joined the ranks of the red flags with half an hour left of the day between turns 6 and 7.

His team mate from last year, Button, was four tenths behind but despite worries about the car’s performance the McLaren driver is happier about the new tyres Pirelli are using this year. Vergne continues to impress with the Toro Rosso, whose pace seems reflective of what was seen last year, but managed to dump it in the gravel at turn 5 at 0941 not long after the track had just been given the all clear.

Bianchi spent the day trying to secure the last seat at Force India and did himself justice in the difficult conditions, but still managed to trigger a red flag when he stopped near the pit exit with 3 minutes of the session remaining. Gutierrez was another driver to set the red flags waving, the third of the day when he took a trip into the gravel at turn 5 after coming into the corner too fast. However it was good practice for the rookie who, before today, had never driven a Formula One car in the wet before.

It was also a good day for Caterham and van der Garde who finished the day ahead of the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull, but he was another driver who failed to keep himself on track, coming off into the gravel at the final corner. Massa took the honour of being the first driver to stop the track when he took a trip into the gravel at turn 4 ten minutes into the day.

Webber also stopped on track an hour and half into the session between turns 9 and 10, but took the time to reveal the team was working better than ever. Chilton and Grosjean were the last drivers to set a time, with Williams focusing on pit stops instead of times despite missing the first test in Jerez.