BARCELONA TEST: Maldonado puts Lotus fastest on day three

Testing & Race Reports

21-02-2015

Pastor Maldonado was fastest on the third day of preseason testing in Barcelona giving Louts another chance to prove there pace. The Venezuelan driver, quickest on the opening day of the test on Thursday, was four tenths of a second clear of Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen.

McLaren once again had another difficult day as the part which ended Jenson Button’s day on Thursday failed once again. After spending four hours in the pits Button did managed to get him running again.

After spending four hours in the pits Button did managed to get him running again. Hamilton returned to the track after sitting out Thursday afternoon following illness going third as he continues to get better.

Ferrari fell down the time sheets with Sebastian Vettel sliding off just four corners into his first lap due to cold tyres. Vettel did not cause any damage to his car and went on to finish the day with 105 laps.

Danill Kvyat attempted a full race distance but he had a long stoppage at half distance. Marcus Ericsson completed 53 laps when he managed to get going just before the lunch break.

Pascal Wehrlein returned to Force India after covering for Hamilton on Thursday afternoon going eighth fastest.

Williams switched its drivers at midday, with Felipe Massa finishing with 55 laps and Valtteri Bottas spending the afternoon focused on pit stops and only setting a time four minutes from the end of the session.

RESULT

1 Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Lotus-Mercedes 1:24.348

2 Max Verstappen (Ned) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:24.739

3 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:26.142

4 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:26.340

5 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:26.407

6 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Red Bull-Renault 1:26.589

7 Felipe Massa (Brz) Williams-Mercedes 1:26.912

8 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Force India-Mercedes 1:27.333*

9 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Williams-Mercedes 1:27.556

10 Jenson Button (GB) McLaren-Honda 1:29.151