Lewis Hamilton returns and sets the pace
Lewis Hamilton returned to testing duties for the McLaren Mercedes squad today and promptly set the pace around the 4.428km Jerez circuit, despite an off in the morning session. The championship runner-up recorded a best time of 1:19.371s, three-tenths off Nick Heidfeld’s Tuesday best, and completed 73 laps.
David Coulthard posted the second fastest time in his Red Bull Renault and was one of a number of drivers who tested the slick tyres on offer from Bridgestone as the sole tyre supplier gears up for a possible return in 2009. Coulthard lapped within 0.050s of Hamilton’s best in his RB3 while team-mate Mark Webber was down the order in 15th position.
Felipe Massa took over from Marc Gene at Ferrari, recording the third fastest time in his F2007 just a fraction ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen. Pedro de la Rosa was fifth fastest in the second McLaren ahead of Nelson Piquet who was another driver to take to the gravel trap this morning in his Renault.
Former Honda tester Christian Klien did his chances of landing the remaining Force India Ferrari seat no harm today with the fifth fastest time ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the leading Toro Rosso. Giancarlo Fisichella was ninth fastest in what is his second day of testing with Force India while Robert Kubica rounded out the top ten for BMW Sauber.
