Currently reading: Button tops latest F1 test
McLaren driver sets the fastest time of the four-day test at Jerez on the final day

McLaren’s Jenson Button was fastest on the final day of Formula One’s third official 2010 test in Jerez, setting the fastest time of the whole four-day test in the process.

A total of 11 drivers took part in Saturday’s rain-free test at the Spanish circuit, and eight of the drivers completed more than 100 laps. Button finished just ahead of Renault’s Robert Kubica and Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi.

See F1 testing pictures from Saturday's action

Lotus’s Jarno Trulli completed the most laps out of anyone, with 141, and was 4.599sec slower than Button. Timo Glock ran for the other new team taking part, Virgin, and was 3.562sec slower than Button, although he was limited to just 28 laps due to hydraulic problems.

Combined times from the four-day Jerez test:

1. Button McLaren 1:18.8712. Kubica Renault 1:19.1143. Kobayashi Sauber 1:19.1884. Webber Red Bull 1:19.2995. Liuzzi Force India 1:19.6506. Rosberg Mercedes 1:20.0617. Alonso Ferrari 1:20.1158. Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1:21.0539. Hulkenberg Williams 1:21.43210. M.Schumacher Mercedes 1:21.43711. Sutil Force India 1:21.93912. Glock Virgin 1:22.43313. Vettel Red Bull 1:22.59314. Hamilton McLaren 1:23.01715. Massa Ferrari 1:23.20416. Buemi Toro Rosso 1:23.32217. de la Rosa Sauber 1:23.36718. Trulli Lotus 1:23.47019. di Grassi Virgin 1:23.50420. Kovalainen Lotus 1:23.52121. di Resta Force India 1:25.08822. Petrov Renault 1:26.23723. Barrichello Williams 1:27.14524. Fauzy Lotus 1:31.848

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crazyal 22 February 2010

Re: Button tops latest F1 test

Both the Lotus's were only 1/2 a second slower than Hamilton's Mclaren, althogh he may have not been going full out attack unlike Button.

Peter Cavellini 22 February 2010

Re: Button tops latest F1 test

More excitement in the pits than on the track, i hear talk of ex racing drivers doing the lollipop job because of there only being tyres too change (Mclaren are talking 3seconds!)

VirginPower 22 February 2010

Re: Button tops latest F1 test

TheWizardWeb wrote:
Button is only fast when everything is going his way. He gets bogged down a bit if not. He's more of a 'Barrichello' than a 'Senna'.

Absolutely spot-on; and some of the rest of it.

I think the Red Bull shows its best when light at the mo, with the Ferrari best when heavy.

The interesting thing will be the strategic warfare put to its ultimate test this year. Mercedes may not yet have the best technical package in any one area, but overall, with Schumacher and Brawn working together, the way it will be used to best advantage over a race weekend will leave the other teams trailing tactically.

I'm hoping that will be a deciding factor. We know that on this level, only Alonso and Vettel have the wit to come close to challenging Schumacher. The question then becomes whether they have figures at Ferrari and Red Bull who will work with them to create the imposing force that Michael and Ross will be.

Lewis's weakness is that he can sometimes develop tunnel vision - he's not the natural, serene master of the F1 game that Michael and, to a lesser extent, Fernando are.

Jenson's has fine racing skills when it gets gritty, and can whinge for Enlgand in a way that makes Damon Hill look insouciant, but his abilities don't consistently extend far beyond that.

The unknown quantity for Vettel is not his talent (because he's almost certainly the best driver on the grid under 40 years old), it's the car.

In the RB6 Newey has created an evolution of the 2009 package, but implemented a ground-up redesign of the previously compromised rear assembly. It's clearly a pace-setter, but despite Newey's prudent approach, Vettel will be robbed once more of his just deserts if Red Bull and Renault again fail to make the car reliable.