Sebastian Vettel puts Ferrari in the lead in Barcelona

Published on 04 March 2016 by Mike Motilall

Sebastian Vettel was the fastest during the morning session on the final day of preseason testing in Barcelona. The German clocked a 1:22.852, making him three tenths faster than Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen’s team mate at Scuderia Toro Rosso, came in second, ahead of Sergio Perez’ Force India.

At the start of the session, Vettel also takes to the track, just like Raikkonen the previous day, with the so called ‘halo’ on his Ferrari. Enabling the German to get an impression what to expect next year as well. The system is meant to offer more protection to the driver’s head from 2017 onwards. The session gets underway without any hitch or delay. As the sun beats down, the teams are busy with their respective programs.

Lewis Hamilton causes a code red, shortly before lunch, by halting just past the end of the pit lane. Mercedes confirms, moments later, that there is an issue with the transmission on the W07. At Manor the mechanical problems are clearly even bigger. Till just before lunch, the doors remained shut, leaving Rio Haryanto not much more than one installation lap.

Pre-season test II, day 4 - Circuit de Catalunya – Friday 4 March 2016:

1.	Raikkonen	Ferrari			1:22.765			136	
2.	Massa		Williams		1:23.193	+0.428		119	
3.	Hülkenberg	Force India		1:23.251	+0.486		137	
4.	Verstappen	Toro Rosso		1:23.382	+0.617		159	
5.	Rosberg	        Mercedes		1:24.126	+1.361		81	
6.	Nasr		Sauber			1:24.760	+1.995		116	
7.	Alonso		McLaren		        1:24.870	+2.105		118	
8.	Wehrlein	Manor F1		1:24.913	+2.148		46	
9.	Kvyat		Red Bull Racing		1:25.141	+2.376		119	
10.	Palmer		Renault			1:26.224	+3.459		97	
11.	Hamilton	Mercedes		1:26.488	+3.723		62	
12.	Grosjean	Haas			1:27.196	+4.431		77