Sahara Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg emerged fastest driver on day three of the pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a lap time of 1m 25.286s, here on Wednesday. The German, running on medium compound tyre in his Mercedes-powered VJM09, was 0.728s clear of Renault’s Kevin Magnussen, whose best time came on soft rubber.
Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg was third quickest as he added a further 74 laps to the 172 he managed on Tuesday. The German will hand his Silver Arrow over to team mate Lewis Hamilton this afternoon after Mercedes altered their run plans because of the “unprecedented mileage levels” completed in the two days thus far.