Formula One testing
Second phase to start in Barcelona
Mercedes won 16 of 19 Grand Prix last season and seemed intent on ironing out a few reliability problems that prevented even greater dominance in 2014. PHOTO: AFP
BARCELONA:
The build-up to the 2015 Formula One season steps up a gear when the second of three four-day preseason tests gets started in Barcelona on Thursday.
There was a familiar sight when testing began in Jerez earlier this month as the Mercedes of world champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were literally miles ahead of the competition, completing 516 laps over the four days.
Mercedes won 16 of 19 Grand Prix last season and seemed intent on ironing out a few reliability problems that prevented even greater dominance in 2014.
At the other end of the spectrum in Jerez was McLaren, who suffered teething problems in their new partnership with Honda after a 22-year absence.
Alonso and Jenson Button managed just 79 laps between them in Jerez, a figure which racing director Eric Boullier admitted only amounted to about 50% of what they had hoped for.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
The build-up to the 2015 Formula One season steps up a gear when the second of three four-day preseason tests gets started in Barcelona on Thursday.
There was a familiar sight when testing began in Jerez earlier this month as the Mercedes of world champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were literally miles ahead of the competition, completing 516 laps over the four days.
Mercedes won 16 of 19 Grand Prix last season and seemed intent on ironing out a few reliability problems that prevented even greater dominance in 2014.
At the other end of the spectrum in Jerez was McLaren, who suffered teething problems in their new partnership with Honda after a 22-year absence.
Alonso and Jenson Button managed just 79 laps between them in Jerez, a figure which racing director Eric Boullier admitted only amounted to about 50% of what they had hoped for.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.