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F1 winter testing: Bahrain I day 3

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG W05

Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time of the week so far during F1 testing overnight in Bahrain. The 2008 world champ sent his Mercedes AMG W05 around the Sakhir circuit in 1:34.263 and headed a trio of Mercedes-powered cars.

Hamilton didn’t have everything go his way, though, with a minor gremlin interrupting his race simulation in the afternoon.

“It was nice to be able to put together a good lap today because generally speaking there seems to be less grip available than last year,” said Lewis. “I’m looking forward to completing a race simulation next week as we didn’t quite get to finish it today.

“We’re trying to find any issues we can now to prevent them happening during a race situation, so from that perspective it’s a positive that we were able to find and fix something again today.”

Second fastest was Jenson Button (1:34.976) in the McLaren, while Williams’ prospects are looking good with Felipe Massa (1:37.066) showing promising form.

Esteban Gutierrez (1:37.180) went fourth quickest in the Sauber as times continued to spread out, while Force India’s Sergio Perez (1:37.367) was next.

Ferrari held the seventh fastest time for the day thanks to Kimi Raikkonen (1:37.476), ahead of Daniil Kvyat (1:38.974) in the Toro Rosso.

Pastor Maldonado (1:39.642) set the ninth fastest lap for Lotus. Glum faces became the order of the day here and at Red Bull where Daniel Ricciardo (1:40.781) endured another difficult day. Maldonado had gearbox problems in the afternoon session and Ricciardo’s day ended early after Red Bull discovered a mechanical issue during the lunch break.

“I did some good laps and those came off the back of the more than 50 laps Seb did yesterday, so we’re getting there,” a positive Ricciardo explained. “Obviously, I would have liked to do more this afternoon but we still have tomorrow ahead of us and it’s important to be ready for that.

“The car is definitely making progress though. It’s coming together bit by bit. We’d love a big chunk all at once but obviously that’s not the way these things work, so we have to be a bit patient for now.”

Marcus Ericsson (1:42.130) managed a solid 98 laps in his Renault-powered Caterham but was well off the pace, only faster than fellow backmarker Max Chilton (1:46.672) in the Marussia. Chilton’s day was over when it was decided his car needed a new engine and the team was unable to complete the task in time to get him back out.

Valtteri Bottas had a run for Williams in the afternoon as the team focused on pit stop practice, despite managing 55 laps he did not post a lap time.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG W05

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG W05

Unofficial test times from Bahrain I (Day 3):

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes – 1:34.263 (67 laps)
2. Jenson Button, McLaren – 1:34.976 (103 laps)
3. Felipe Massa, Williams – 1:37.066 (60 laps)
4. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber – 1:37.180 (96 laps)
5. Sergio Perez, Force India – 1:37.367 (57 laps)
6. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari – 1:37.476 (44 laps)
7. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso – 1:38.974 (57 laps)
8. Pastor Maldonado, Lotus – 1:39.642 (26 laps)
9. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull – 1:40.781 (28 laps)
10. Marcus Ericsson, Caterham – 1:42.130 (98 laps)
11. Max Chilton, Marussia – 1:46.672 (4 laps)
12. Valtteri Bottas, Williams – no time (55 laps)
[Source: Formula1.com]