We are now half way through testing here in Barcelona and it hasn't been smooth running for everyone.
Lotus (formally known as Renault) decided they'd had enough, packed up and went home early.
I know it's not the most exhilarating thing, testing nine hours a day, but at least stick it out for a couple of days.
A few teams have been having trouble in paradise over the past two days. "Danielle Ricciardo" as he is known as by the Spanish/ Catalan crowd hasn't had an easy time. He's stopped on track numerous of times due to problems with the Toro Rosso. On the main straight the car has looked incredibly quick. They had good straight line speed last season so I wonder if they can continue forward with this. Or will reliability be an issue?
Caterham have had a few problems as well. Their testing session was cut short yesterday due to a drive shaft rod failure on Heikki Kovalinnen's car. This morning Vitaly Petrov had a few little obstacles to overcome with his new Caterham. They team are trying to find the perfect set up for him, but he did manage to get some laps in, in the afternoon session.
Surprisingly Mercedes had to abruptly end their testing session with Michael Schumacher yesterday but had a quick turn around today as Nico Rosberg took to the wheel and managed to fit several strong laps under his belt.
Charles Pic in the Marussia clocked up the most laps yesterday and today. Trying to get his head around the car and understand everything as he is going into his rookie season.
Obviously wants to make the best of it. Don't forgot Marussia are testing last seasons car this week in Barcelona. They're just running behind on the launch of their new car.
Sauber, Williams and Force India amongst the mid runners got down to business and managed to get some valid track time and lay down some rubber.
The big boys Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari used their time wisely.
Red Bull with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel laid their towel down (excuse the pun) at the top of the testing sheet during yesterday's session. Showing the rest of us how it's done and that they are not giving up their constructors championship without a fight.
In true Red Bull fashion they weren't standing any messing when it came to making sure everything is kept 'hush, hush' for testing. The curtains were fully up between garages.
I can only imagine it killed them to open the drapes to the world media when they were letting the double world champion out for his runs.
It's fair to say the photog's were all over them like a moth to a flame.
Both McLaren and Ferrari seemed to have some minor hiccups yesterday and today. It didn't seem to faze them though. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso raked the laps in.
At the end of the day testing is testing. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It's still early days. No championship had been won just yet. Sorry to ruin that for you. Can't take too much from it so we'll just have to wait and see what Thursday and Friday have install for us as the other drivers take to the stand.
Not long now till the start if the season.
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