Merc upgrade shows pace at Barcelona

All through pre-season testing, Mercedes GP have promised their upgraded package will have pace - and that's exactly what it had at Barcelona on Friday

New parts arrived for Mercedes GP's W02 late Thursday at the Circuit de Catalunya and Michael Schumacher had the opportunity to test the revised car on Day Four of the final pre-season test.

The German, using the revised front wing and new turning vanes, clocked a 1:21.249 to set the pace ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Schumacher's lap time was also the fastest witnessed at Barcelona this year.

Alonso, meanwhile, spent his morning on qualifying style runs, which was when his set his 1:21.614, before switching to a race simulation in the afternoon. And once again, the Ferrari demonstrated both its pace and reliability with Spaniard amassing 141 laps.

Nico Rosberg was next in line as he took over for Schumacher in the afternoon. Although Rosberg was only expected to run on Saturday, the German was given a few hours late in the day as rain is expected at the Spanish circuit tomorrow.

Nick Heidfeld was fourth for Lotus Renault, although his running was cut short in the afternoon due to an undisclosed problem, while Rubens Barrichello was the final driver to get within a second of Schumacher's P1 time.

Kamui Kobayashi and Jaime Alguersuari were sixth and seventh with the latter saying "pre-season testing as reasonably positive for our team.

"We have learned a lot about the new parameters we have from this year's rules and obviously understanding the new Pirelli tyres has been an important element of these tests.

"It has been very different to the previous year, so now we start a new Championship in Melbourne, with a new philosophy. I think we have a good car, which shows potential. However, we still need to improve a lot and that will involve plenty of hard work in the coming weeks."

Sebastian Vettel completed the top eight but managed just 63 laps and brought out the red flags late in the day when he stopped at the exit of the pit lane.

Once again it was not a good day for McLaren with Jenson Button finishing down in 13th place, 4.588s off the pace. He amassed just 57 laps due to an engine change.

Five teams, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and Hispania Racing, will continue at the Circuit de Catalunya on Saturday in what will be the final day of pre-season testing.

Times
01. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m21.249 67 laps
02. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m21.614 + 0.365 141 laps
03. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m21.788 + 0.539 22 laps
04. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m22.073 + 0.824 67 laps
05. Rubens Barrichello Williams 1m22.233 + 0.984 89 laps
06. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1m22.315 + 1.066 98 laps
07. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m22.675 + 1.426 72 laps
08. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1m22.933 + 1.684 64 laps
09. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1m23.437 + 2.188 138 laps
10. Paul di Resta Force India 1m23.653 + 2.404 42 laps
11. Adrian Sutil Force India 1m23.921 + 2.672 26 laps
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams 1m24.108 + 2.859 11 laps
13. Jenson Button McLaren 1m25.837 + 4.588 57 laps
14. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin 1m27.375 + 6.126 46 laps

Source: Planet-F1