Jerez: Ferrari keeps the lead, McLaren finally on track

Kimi Räikkönen succeeded Sebastian Vettel but the Finn tried to leave the SF15-T in the lead at the Jerez tests. Although the drivers spent a good part of the morning on grooved tires, the track has still dried sufficiently for slicks to be used. The pilot Ferrari signed a reference lap in 1'24"357, still far from the time of 1'20"984 achieved yesterday by his teammate.

Mercedes F1 remained the most diligent since Nico Rosberg has already passed the 90 lap mark at midday. But the German stopped on the track due to a problem with the Power Unit. His teammate Lewis Hamilton had already had problems the day before with a hydraulic leak.

LThe results were mixed on the home side Red Bull. One Carlos Sainz Jr was one of the most active with more than 50 laps completed on the Toro Rosso STR10, the RB11 of Daniel Ricciardo completed only five laps while the second day was spoiled by an unfortunate exit from Daniil Kvyat which damaged the front wing…

However, the tests run better for McLaren since Fernando Alonso was able to start relays by completing around thirty laps without seeking performance. The Lotus E23 stayed in the pits for a while following a telemetry problem but Pastor Maldonado was able to get out on the track when the track dried up. Felipe Nasr was the victim of an exit from the track without major consequences with the Sauber C34, causing the first of two interruptions occurring so far on the third day.

Jerez test times. Mid-day Day 3.

1. Kimi Raikkonen? Ferrari? 1'24"357
2. Nico Rosberg? Mercedes + 0 »413
3. Carlos Sainz Jr? Toro Rosso + 0 »995
4. Pastor Maldonado? Lotus + 2 »467
5. Daniel Ricciardo? Red Bull + 10 »419
6. Felipe Nasr? Sauber + 10 »770
7. Fernando Alonso? McLaren + 11 »196
8. Felipe Massa? Williams + 21 »571