Sauber top third day

Sebastian Vettel handed over his Ferrari to new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen on the third day of testing in Jerez.

But it wasn’t the Finn who set the fastest time of the day, instead it was Felipe Nasr in the newly painted blue Sauber.

The Brazilian also recorded an awful lot of mileage for the team, completing 109 laps, the third most of the session.

‘We did a lot of mileage, and we were able to get a better understanding of the car. On top of that, we used different tyres in different conditions, and we played with the set-up. Overall they were two very positive days. I’m glad that I already feel comfortable in the new environment, and I’m really happy with everything I’ve seen so far with the team.’ Nasr told formula1.com at the end of Tuesday’s test day.

Another new driver in a new team who also impressed was Carlos Sainz Jr for Toro Rosso.

He might not have troubled the timesheets, setting the sixth fastest time of the day, but he did complete 137 laps which the team will be delighted with at this stage of winter testing.

But for a third consecutive day it was Mercedes who completed the most laps.

Nico Rosberg was back in the car as he recorded 151 laps, tipping Mercedes over the 1,000 mile mark in three days of testing.

Unofficial Tuesday testing times

1. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, 1m 21.545s
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1m 21.750s
3. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m 21.982s
4. Felipe Massa, Williams, 1m 22.276s
5. Pastor Maldonado, Lotus, 1m 22.713s
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso, 1m 23.187s
7. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m 23.901s
8. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1m 35.553s, 32 laps