Barcelona: Day One & Two

Testing resumes again this time at the beautiful Circuit de Catalunya in sunny Barcelona. The 2.8 mile circuit plays host to the Spanish Grand Prix, an event that could soon be shared with the Valencia Street circuit. This test will be a more representable picture of race pace for the beginning of the season, unlike Jerez which was mainly used for sorting out reliability issues.

One of the key figures missing from the Jerez test was 2012 runner up Fernando Alonso who was not featured at all. Day one marked the first time that he has been in the F138. Positive performers such as Lotus, Red Bull and Force India will be looking to build on their current foundations while under performers like Mercedes and Williams who were in their brand new FW35 for the first time will be seeking ways of improving.

Day One Final Standings

1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) – 1m.22.616s
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) – 1m.22.623
3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) – 1m.22.952
4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) – 1m.22.965
5. Pastor Maldonado (Williams) – 1m.23.733
6. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) – 1m.23.884
7. Sergio Perez (McLaren) – 1m.24.124
8. Paul di Resta (Force India) – 1m.24.144
9. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) – 1m.25.124
10. Max Chilton (Marussia) – 1m.26.747
11. Charles Pic (Caterham) – 1m.27.534

The top spot was in constant change throughout the day with numerous drivers setting quick laps, some even went on to beat themselves. In the end, it was Nico Rosberg who put his Mercedes on top at the end of the day, finally putting behind all of the mechanical issues of Jerez. Ross Brawn's team look as though they have finally put their demons to rest. Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen also continued to show their unbelievably quick and consistent pace setting the overall second quickest, he was follwed by Fernando Alonso who was the early pace setter. Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel also continued a theme of consistency keeping his RB9 within mere tenths of the top spot.

Sergio Perez and McLaren finished a disappointing 7th overall, some have argued that their lack of pace is not a good showing for their 2013 title ambitions. 

On a positive note, the back marker teams of Marussia and Caterham (driven by Max Chilton and Charles Pic respectively) were not too far off the midfield teams. Don't read too much into it though, odds are they'll still cause havoc again this season.

Day Two

A few drivers changed around, Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to emulate his team mate Nico Rosberg's success in day one and the young Flying Finn Valtteri Bottas hops in for his first full taste of the new FW35.

Final Standings

1. Sergio Perez (McLaren) 1m.21.848s
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1m.22.197s
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) 1m.22.697s
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m.22.726s
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1m.23.247s
6. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1m.23.561s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) 1m.23.718s
8. Paul di Resta (Force India) 1m.23.971s
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) 1m.24.205s
10. Max Chilton (Marussia) 1m.25.115s
11. Charles Pic (Caterham) 1m.26.243s

Day two marked an event with very little red flags. In fact there were only two towards the very end of the session. Therefore all the simulation work the teams carried out will have collected very rich data, very beneficial as the start of the season looms. The man on top today could not have contrasted any further from his performance yesterday, Sergio Perez drove his McLaren to the top of the time sheet putting a considerable amount of daylight between himself and second placed Sebastian Vettel who was at the top for a considerable portion of the day.

Disappointment and even less laps for Kimi Raikkonen and Lotus today as the E29 suffered it's worst bout of reliability issues yet after suffering a gearbox problem. Not enough to stop him from setting the  third fastest time, but still a cause for concern as Kimi set an unprecedented record last season for completing every single lap in the year. Lotus were not alone, Red Bull and Ferrari both had reliability concerns. Hamilton completed a series of laps to put his crash nightmare of Jerez behind him, moving forwards in good strides.

I must say, the one team who have continued to impress me throughout every single test session this  year is Toro Rosso. They are doing an excellent job and I hope it brings them good fortune this year. I need someone at Red Bull whom I actually like instead of a German 'yes man.'

Check back here tomorrow where I will have a run down of day three!

Note

There will be no review of the Williams FW35. The car is very much unaltered and I am not particularly fond of the idea of Pastor Maldonado still retaining his seat. I think Valtteri Bottas will surprise quite a lot of people this year, I have my eye on him. I will say though that despite my previous Renault engine theories, Williams have decided to go with the vanity cover, a move I am very pleased to see.

Force India will not be receiving any further coverage from me on my blog. I am totally appalled by their decision not to announce a second driver. It is terrible management and they will be putting someone in the car with little laps under their belt. It doesn't matter if they run every lap of the third test, they will still be at a disadvantage and therefore a risk to drivers around them plus a potential threat to our viewing pleasure.