What did we learn from the second pre-season test?
The new Formula 1 season is edging ever closer, with just four days of testing to go before the Australian Grand Prix next month.
The second pre-season test, which finished yesterday, has helped us to establish a clearer picture of form ahead of the new year.
Here’s a flavour of what we learnt.
Mercedes still in on top
Just as excitement started to grow over Ferrari’s new found pace, Mercedes underlined their dominance with an ominous performance yesterday.
Nico Rosberg finished the day only 0.2s slower than Romain Grosjean, but his time was set on medium tyres as opposed to the super-softs used by Grosjean. This makes Rosberg effectively 1.5s per lap faster than the Frenchman’s Lotus.
However, it was Mercedes’ race simulation on Friday which showed us how far ahead they really are, as they went one second a lap faster than Red Bull, who were their closest rivals last year.
Ferrari and Red Bull may be closer, but Mercedes are still way out in front.
Ferrari’s pace is genuine
Kimi Raikkonen in action in the 2015 Ferrari.
Test times are misleading, especially when the cars first break cover in early February, but Ferrari do seem to have made a large leap from last season.
The engine is far better than its 2014 predecessor, and their single lap pace is comparable with Red Bull. It is now likely that the Italian team have leapfrogged their Austrian rivals, and sit joint-second behind Mercedes and level with Williams in the pecking order.
But, perhaps, the biggest change is the happy atmosphere in the team. Positivity seems to be flowing, and although they are playing down their hopes this season, insiders are confident that Ferrari is finally on the road back to the front.
McLaren have major problems
Jenson Button claims that this season’s McLaren could end up being a race-winning car at the end of the season, but, so far, it has hardly got out of second gear.
McLaren feel that their car is quick, but niggling issues restricted them just over 100 laps across the four days.
In comparison to Mercedes and Ferrari, McLaren are well behind but they can take comfort from Red Bull, who had similar problems at this stage last year, but went on to have a successful 2014.
It is looking increasingly clear that they won’t be ready for the first race in Australia, unless a productive four days next week rescues their pre-season.
Red Bull suffer more engine woes
Daniel Ricciardo - Red Bull RB11
You get the feeling that Renault has a lot to answer for at the moment. Last season, their engine was way behind the dominant Mercedes in pace, and they suffered from poor reliability.
Over the winter the French manufacturers focused on beefing up their reliability, but it has become clear that this has had a negative impact on performance.
Red Bull believe that they just aren't quick enough and, although they may be closer to Mercedes than they were last year, they have lost ground to Ferrari and, possibly, Williams.
No one really knows about Williams
Williams have kept their cards very close to their chest so far, something which they liked to do for much of last season. Initial impressions in Jerez were that they have made a step forward, and they hinted at that again with some competitive times in Barcelona.
On day three, they focused on pit-stop practice, which is another clear indication of how confident they are.
In the pecking order, it is likely that they are behind Mercedes, but ahead of Red Bull and Ferrari, but we won’t truly know until the final test later this week.
Lotus have vastly improved
Pastor Maldonado - Lotus E23
Lotus will, arguably, be the happiest team of all after the second pre-season test as they topped the timesheets on three of the four days.
Like Ferrari, they suffered a miserable season last year, but winter testing is putting smiles back on their faces.
With a Mercedes engine loaded into the back, and an improved aerodynamic package, Lotus believes that they can get back to competing for podiums this year.
But Mercedes’ ominous pace shows that they have a long way to go before they can be challenges at the front, but Ferrari, Red Bull and Williams aren't too far away.
This Verstappen kid can drive
Okay, so it might be a little bit over the top to heap praise on a driver based on his performances in winter testing, which are completely meaningless. But Toro Rosso insiders have been very impressed with Max Verstappen.
The Dutch youngster completed 120 laps on day three and is yet to put a foot wrong. He looks composed and, most importantly, fast, while his level of feedback has surprised the team.
His team-mate, Carlos Sainz, has had a few teething problems, but Verstappen has taken to F1 like a duck to water.
Sauber still have problems
The 2015 Sauber car has a new livery design.
After an encouraging first test in Jerez, Sauber took a massive step back in Barcelona.
The team completed very little mileage as reliability issues kicked in, and it seems that Felipe Nasr was to blame for his crash with Susie Wolff.
If Manor don’t return, expect Sauber to prop up the field in Australia.
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