BARCELONA - Nico Hulkenberg posted the fastest time in the Force India on the third morning of pre-season testing in Barcelona as Ferrari suffered their first setback of the new season.
Nico Hulkenberg (right) posted the fastest time in the Force India on the third morning of Formula One pre-season testing in Barcelona
Ferrari had topped the timesheets on both the opening days with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel.
However, Kimi Raikkonen had no such luck as a fuel system problem restricted the Finn to just four laps in the final hour before lunch.
A much quieter morning than the opening two days was overshadowed by the news of a planned drastic overhaul to qualifying for Grand Prixs for the upcoming season.
A knockout format for qualifying has been proposed by F1 bosses to introduce more excitement after two years of dominance at the front of the grid by Mercedes.
The German giants once again prioritised miles over speed on day three as Nico Rosberg logged 74 laps in a third fastest time behind Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen in the Renault.
Despite a marathon 172-lap run on Tuesday, Rosberg was straight back into the W07 in a change of plans as he and world champion Lewis Hamilton will have half a day each in the final two days of the first test.
Hamilton didn't look too perturbed, though, as he passed through the paddock on a hoverboard whilst taking his dog Roscoe for a walk early in the session.
Indonesian rookie Rio Haryanto had an opening F1 session to forget as he spun his Manor into the gravel.
McLaren made more steady progress without showing any signs they will have the speed to compete at the front of the grid this year as Jenson Button completed 45 laps down in seventh fastest