Force India’s Sergio Perez topped the times on the opening day of the third and final Formula 1 pre-season test at Bahrain.
The Mexican managed to bank 104 laps around the Sakhir circuit producing a best time of 1:35.290s.
The time was 0.894s quicker than the Williams of Valtteri Bottas while Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest for Ferrari.
The Renault powered teams continued to struggle with Red Bull only managing to set the seventh fastest time with Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian completed 39 laps before overheating issues curtailed his day.
He will continue behind the wheel on the second day which will be his last before the Australian Grand Prix season opener in two weeks.
Mercedes was fourth fastest with Nico Rosberg just 1.334s adrift of the benchmark time set by Perez as the team concentrated on race simulation runs.
Adrian Sutil gave Sauber encouragement with 88 trouble free laps culminating in the fifth quickest time.
Marussia enjoyed their best testing performance of pre-season with Max Chilton setting the eighth fastest time outpacing the likes of Danil Kvyat (Toro Rosso), Pastor Maldonado (Lotus) and Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham).
Results below from Day 1 of second Bahrain pre-season F1 test
Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap | Laps |
1. | Sergio Perez | Force India – Mercedes | 1:35.290 | 104 laps | |
2. | Valtteri Bottas | Williams – Mercedes | 1:36.184 | +0.894s | 127 laps |
3. | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari | 1:36.432 | +1.142s | 53 laps |
4. | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:36.624 | +1.334s | 89 laps |
5. | Adrian Sutil | Sauber Ferrari | 1:37.700 | +2.410s | 88 laps |
6. | Kevin Magnussen | McLaren – Mercedes | 1:37.825 | +2.535s | 109 laps |
7. | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull – Renault | 1:37.908 | +2.618s | 35 laps |
8. | Max Chilton | Marussia – Ferrari | 1:38.610 | +3.320s | 44 laps |
9. | Daniil Kvyat | Toro Rosso – Renault | 1:39.242 | +3.952s | 56 laps |
10. | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus – Renault | 1:40.599 | +5.309s | 31 laps |
11. | Kamui Kobayashi | Caterham – Renault | 1:42.285 | +6.995s | 19 laps |