2011’s final day of pre-season testing saw almost nothing in the way of meaningful running as heavy rain hit Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. With just four teams in action, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was the only man to set a time in the morning, before Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg clocked the session’s fastest lap as conditions improved very slightly late in the afternoon.
“We tested a couple of things during some shorter runs, but it was very dangerous out there: very slippery and lots of aquaplaning,” commented Hamilton, third in the times. “This definitely isn’t normal Spanish weather! We learnt a bit about the Pirelli intermediates and extremes, but there was so much aquaplaning that it was a bit too risky to do longer runs.”
Second fastest, and the only other driver to record a time, was Williams’ Pastor Maldonado. Both Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso completed only a number of installation laps, with Ferrari choosing to pack up a couple of hours early due to the poor conditions.
HRT were also present at the circuit, but were unable to give their new F111 its planned track debut due to its dampers being held up in Spanish customs.
The next Formula One track action will be first practice for the Australian Grand Prix on March 25-27.
Unofficial Saturday test times from Barcelona:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:43.814, 35 laps
2. Pastor Maldonado, Williams, 1:44.333, 23
3. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:44.560, 33
4. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, no time, 5
5. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, no time, 5
Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)
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