Nico Rosberg maintains his Barcelona reference

La F1 returned to the track this Tuesday for the first day of the second week of pre-season testing at the Barcelona track in Catalonia. A day that allowed Mercedes and Nico Rosberg to place themselves at the forefront.

The German vice-world champion offered himself the best lap on the Spanish circuit this morning in 1’23”022, a benchmark that no one will have beaten in the afternoon, not even their teammate Lewis Hamilton, alternation being the norm at Mercedes. The Briton did not seem to be looking for performance today, with a best lap completed in 1'25"051 for sixth time behind Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull).

Valtteri Bottas place Williams FW38 in second position less than three tenths from Rosberg, after putting on ultra-soft tires. The Finn, who has accumulated 123 laps today, is ahead of the McLaren de Fernando Alonso, author of a personal reference in 1’24″735, with 93 laps on the clock of the MP4-31, free from major criticism this Tuesday.

However, problems arose in the clan Ferrari since Kimi Räikkönen, author of the fourth fastest time on his SF16-H, was forced to stop his car just before the first turn in the afternoon. The 2007 World Champion was, however, able to resume his tests a full hour before the end of the session.

A problem with the fuel system of the VF-16, powered by the Italian bloc, put a premature end to Esteban Gutiérrez's day (Haas). The Mexican was only able to complete 23 laps this Monday for a best time established in 1’26”661.

Apart from Bottas, Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso), seventh in front Kevin Magnussen (Renault), stopped at turn 3 at the end of the day, Felipe Nasr with the new Sauber C35 and Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) crossed the barrier of 100 laps covered, the prize going to Verstappen with 144 laps.

Halted in his momentum by an oil leak this morning, Rio Haryanto (Manor) completes the day's ranking on his MRT05. The sixth day of pre-season testing, the second of the week, will begin tomorrow Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Ranking Day 5 at 18 p.m.:

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes): 1’23″022 (82 laps)

Valtteri Bottas (Williams): 1’23″229 (123)

Fernando Alonso (McLaren): 1’24″735 (93)

Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari): 1’24″836 (72)

Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull): 1’25″049 (69)

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 1’25″051 (90)

Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso): 1’25″176 (144)

Nico Hülkenberg (Force India): 1’25″336 (121)

Felipe Nasr (Sauber): 1’25″493 (103)

Kevin Magnussen (Renault): 1’25″760 (119)

Esteban Gutiérrez (Haas): 1’26″661 (23)

Rio Haryanto (Manor): 1’27″625 (45)

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