Formula One testing: Raikkonen fastest as Mercedes hold back

Ferrari speedster clocked 1min 22.765sec on ultrasoft tyres

BARCELONA: Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen registered the fastest time in Formula One testing so far this season on the third day of the second test in Barcelona.

Raikkonen, who won the 2007 Formula One Championship during his first Ferrari stint, beat teammate Sebastian Vettel’s previous best time from last week on ultrasoft tyres in 1min 22.765sec.

Even more encouraging for Ferrari was the fact that Raikkonen even bettered the best time posted so far by dominant two-time reigning world champions Mercedes on the soft tyre compound.



German Nico Hulkenberg was second quickest as Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya’s Force India continued to show good pre-season pace with Dutch teenager Max Verstappen third for Toro Rosso.

Mercedes once again refused to show their real speed on the penultimate day of testing before the opening race weekend of the season in Australia on March 20.



Nico Rosberg, who has finished second behind teammate Lewis Hamilton for two consecutive years in the championship race, posted another 80 laps in fourth-fastest on the medium tyres. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2016.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.