British racing driver Lewis Hamilton was quicker than everyone, Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit, as winter testing ahead of the 2014 F1 season came to a close.
The 2008 world champion's effort put Mercedes' factory outfit back on top of the timing sheet, the rest of the four-day test having been dominated by customers Sahara Force India and Williams.
As he racked up a total of 70 laps, Sunday at the wheel of his Mercedes W05, Hamilton posted a 1min33.278s, a time only two tenths short of Felipe Massa's benchmark for turbo cars at Bahrain.
Massa's teammate at Williams, Finn Valtteri Bottas, was second quickest aboard the FW36. Despite an engine change, Bottas completed 108 laps over the day to bring to 936 laps the Grove based team's tally.
First of the non Mercedes-powered drivers was Spaniard Fernando Alonso with the third fastest lap. He was followed by Nico Hulkenberg, whose race simulation was ended prematurely by an unspecified failure.
Sauber drivers Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez took turns at the wheel of the C33 to turn a total of 177 laps. They posted the sixth and eighth fastest lap respectively.
World champion Sebastian Vettel was only ninth fastest, but at least he was able to complete 77 laps, which is 77 more than what he managed Saturday. Down in 10th, Jenson Button recorded the least amount of laps (22), having suffered from both engine and electronics problems.
Difficult day also for Lotus, as Romain Grosjean rounded out the classification.
The paddock's next meeting is the Australian Grand Prix, in less than two weeks.
Third and final winter test session, Bahrain, Day 4*:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m 33.278s, 70 laps
2. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1m 33.987s, 108 laps
3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1m 34.280s, 74 laps
4. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1m 35.577s, 74 laps
5. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1m 35.701s, 74 laps
6. Adrian Sutil, Sauber, 1m 36.467s, 91 laps
7. Max Chilton, Marussia, 1m 36.835s, 61 laps
8. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1m 37.303s, 86 laps
9. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1m 37.468s, 77 laps
10. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1m 38.111s, 22 laps
11. Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham, 1m 38.391s, 106 laps
12. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m 39.302s, 32 laps
*Unofficial timing
The 2008 world champion's effort put Mercedes' factory outfit back on top of the timing sheet, the rest of the four-day test having been dominated by customers Sahara Force India and Williams.
 |
| Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRi2) |
As he racked up a total of 70 laps, Sunday at the wheel of his Mercedes W05, Hamilton posted a 1min33.278s, a time only two tenths short of Felipe Massa's benchmark for turbo cars at Bahrain.
 |
| Valtteri Bottas, Williams FW36 (Photo: WRi2) |
Massa's teammate at Williams, Finn Valtteri Bottas, was second quickest aboard the FW36. Despite an engine change, Bottas completed 108 laps over the day to bring to 936 laps the Grove based team's tally.
 |
| Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T (Photo: WRi2) |
First of the non Mercedes-powered drivers was Spaniard Fernando Alonso with the third fastest lap. He was followed by Nico Hulkenberg, whose race simulation was ended prematurely by an unspecified failure.
 |
| Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India VJM07 (Photo: WRi2) |
Sauber drivers Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez took turns at the wheel of the C33 to turn a total of 177 laps. They posted the sixth and eighth fastest lap respectively.
 |
| Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB10 (Photo: WRi2) |
World champion Sebastian Vettel was only ninth fastest, but at least he was able to complete 77 laps, which is 77 more than what he managed Saturday. Down in 10th, Jenson Button recorded the least amount of laps (22), having suffered from both engine and electronics problems.
Difficult day also for Lotus, as Romain Grosjean rounded out the classification.
The paddock's next meeting is the Australian Grand Prix, in less than two weeks.
Third and final winter test session, Bahrain, Day 4*:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m 33.278s, 70 laps
2. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1m 33.987s, 108 laps
3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1m 34.280s, 74 laps
4. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1m 35.577s, 74 laps
5. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1m 35.701s, 74 laps
6. Adrian Sutil, Sauber, 1m 36.467s, 91 laps
7. Max Chilton, Marussia, 1m 36.835s, 61 laps
8. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1m 37.303s, 86 laps
9. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1m 37.468s, 77 laps
10. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1m 38.111s, 22 laps
11. Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham, 1m 38.391s, 106 laps
12. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m 39.302s, 32 laps
*Unofficial timing