Lewis Hamilton sets the pace

Before the arrival of the rain, which disrupted the end of the morning session in Barcelona in Catalonia, it was the British Lewis Hamilton who had set the best time at the wheel of the Mercedes W06 Hybrid, on medium tires in 1’24″881. A time eight tenths faster than the reference still held since last Sunday by Romain Grosjean and his Lotus E23 Hybrid. With 48 laps completed, the world champion is also the driver to have accumulated the greatest number of laps this morning.

Hamilton ahead after the first four hours of driving this Wednesday la Williams by Felipe Massa, 2nd by more than eight tenths and la Red Bull Daniil Kvyat's RB11, the first to switch to intermediate tires after the rain arrived. Romain Grosjean ranks 4th, more than two seconds behind, and after completing 33 laps.

Followed by Marcus Ericsson (Sauber), Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) Et the McLaren MP4-30 powered by Honda's Power Unit Jenson Button, author of only seven short tours. Force India not in action today, Vijay Mallya's team awaiting the arrival of his VJM08 scheduled for tomorrow.

Mid-day leaderboard Thursday:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 1’24”881? 48 rpm
2. Felipe Massa (Williams): 1’25”763 – 29
3. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull): 1’25”947 – 45
4. Romain Grosjean (Lotus): 1’27”079 – 33
5. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber): 1’27”802 – 33
6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari): 1’27”813 – 28
7. Carlos Sainz Jr -(Toro Rosso): 1’27”866 – 34
8. Jenson Button (McLaren): 1’31”479 – 7