Two time World Champion Sebastian Vettel set the pace on the first day of the second 2012 Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona.
Vettel was 0.175 seconds faster than Force India's Nico Hulkenberg with 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton third fastest, a further 0.14 seconds slower.
The Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona hosted the second 2012 Formula 1 pre season test on Tuesday.
Early in the day, Mercedes-Benz unveiled their new car for the upcoming with drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg - the car had not ready in time to feature at the first pre-season test at Jerez in southern Spain earlier
Both then had the opportunity to take the car for a spin on the track with Schumacher ending the day sixth fastest overall.
Neither of the Mercedes drivers enjoyed any podium finishes in the entire 2011 season, with Rosberg coming seventh in the overall standings with 89 points while Schumacher came eighth with 76.
Both will be hoping that the new car will help them to compete when the new season gets underway.
Fernando Alonso gave an accomplished performance in his Ferrari and was the fifth fastest on the day.
It is five years since the Spaniard won the second of his back to back titles, but he gave plenty of good performances in 2011 to finish fourth overall - missing out on third place by a single point.
Force India proved to be the surprise package of the day.
Nico Hulkenberg was the second fastest on the track, with his time of 1 minute 23.440 seconds.
But it was Sebastian Vettel, the two-time defending F1 champion, was the quickest at Catalunya Circuit with a lap of one minute, 23.265 seconds
The season opens at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18.
SNTV