Barcelona Test: Schumacher sets the pace

Seven of the twelve F1 teams completed their winter preparations today and can now look forward to the opening round of the season. Next time they’ll hit the track will be for the first practice session of the Australian Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and HRT will share the circuit de Catalunya for a final day of testing tomorrow.

Michael Schumacher set the fastest time of the day, despite having to hand over the wheel to teammate Nico Rosberg in the course of the afternoon. This change wasn’t initially planned but Mercedes preferred to give Rosberg a taste of the lastest upgrades – including a new front wing - in the dry as rain is forecast for tomorrow.

Fernando Alonso was second fastest and completed no less than 141 laps. Nico Rosberg only had a couple of hours of running but still managed to set the third fastest time. Nick Heidfeld was fourth fastest and worked through long runs and a race simulation this afternoon.

Rubens Barrichello rounded off the top five. The Williams team ran without the KERS today. The Grove-based team made a precautionary engine change early in the afternoon.

Having set the pace earlier this week, Sebastian Vettel completed his preseason preparation with the eighth fastest time, right behind Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari.

McLaren had more problems today and had to make a precautionary engine change during the lunch break. Jenson Button could only rejoin late in the afternoon and lost some valuable track time.

Fastest lap times of the day: