Jerez: Ferrari keeps control, Red Bull stays in the garage

Kimi Räikkönen set the best performance of the last day of testing in Jerez (Spain) by setting a time of 1'22"537, one second ahead of the Mercedes de Lewis Hamilton and the Lotus of Romain Grosjean.

La Ferrari SF15-T still displays good reliability with more than 50 laps already covered, just like the two single-seaters powered by the Mercedes block even if the reigning world champion caused an interruption by spinning. As for the tricolor pilot, his debut behind the wheel of the E23 proves satisfactory.

Max Verstappen was the most diligent of the morning with 57 laps completed on the Toro Rosso which is ahead of the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson and the Williams by Felipe Massa. The second stable Red Bull brings a breath of oxygen to the Red Bull who meets still problems with the Power Unit of the RB11. Daniil Kvyat was only able to complete eight laps before stopping on track following an ERS problem.

The trials of McLaren also remain complicated but Jenson Button was still able to complete 14 laps in the first part of the session, despite a few engine cuts forcing the mechanics to fetch the MP4-30 from the pit lane.

Jerez test times. Mid-day Day 4.

1. Kimi Raikkonen? Ferrari? 1'22"537
2. Lewis Hamilton? Mercedes + 1 »096
3. Romain Grosjean? Lotus + 1 »265
4. Max Verstappen? Toro Rosso + 1 »564
5. Marcus Ericsson? Sauber + 2 »544
6. Felipe Massa? Williams + 2 »599
7. Jenson Button? McLaren + 5 »772
8. Daniel Kvyat? Red Bull + 14 »658