Mercedes unleash Rosberg in second test

BARCELONA, March 1, 2016 (AFP) – World champions Mercedes sent another signal of their continued dominance to the rest of the Formula One paddock as Nico Rosberg was fastest on the first morning of the second pre-season test in Barcelona on Tuesday.

The German registered the second best time of testing so far in 1min 23.022sec as Mercedes finally used the quicker soft tyres after nearly 700 laps on the first four days of testing last week on the medium compound.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was second, but nearly two seconds behind Rosberg as the Finn completed 42 laps on medium tyres.

McLaren-Honda had a mixed morning as they at least recovered from the reliability problems suffered at the end of last week’s test with Fernando Alonso completing 50 laps.

The Spanish two-time world champion also recorded the third fastest time, but was over two seconds back on Rosberg’s time on the same soft tyres to again demonstrate the gulf between the McLaren-Honda project and Mercedes.

Brazilian Felipe Nasr debuted the Sauber C35 with the Swiss team the last to unveil their new car for the new season.

Indonesian rookie Rio Haryanto’s difficult start at Manor continued as he completed only two laps without registering a time due to an oil leak.