JEREZ, (AFP) - Venezuelian Pastor Maldonado of the Williams-Renault team clocked the fastest lap time during the morning session of pre-season testing here on Thursday.
Maldonado timed a fastest 1min 23.338sec after 42 laps ahead of Japan's Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber-Ferrari, who clocked 1:23.582 after 45, with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany third for Mercedes in 1:24.176 (37).
Testing continues until Friday and there will be a final series of testing here again on March 1-4, before the teams travel to Australia for the opening race of the season in Melbourne on March 18.
Leading times
1. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Williams-Renault 1min 23.338sec (42 laps), 2. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Sauber-Ferrari 1:23.582 (45), 3. Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes-AMG 1:24.176 (37), 4. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:24.433 (35), 5. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.469 (28), 6. Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari 1:24.771 (33), 7. Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:24.835 (26), 8. Timo Glock (GER) Marussia-Cosworth 1:27.177 (36), 9. Paul Di Resta (GBR) Force India-Mercedes 1:27.180 (20), 10. Vitaly Petrov (RUS) Caterham-Renault 1:29.242 (8)