23 Feb 2013

Hamilton quickest on final F1 test day

11:40 am on 23 February 2013

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time on the final day of Formula One testing but the cold, damp weather played havoc with teams' hopes of collecting reliable data.

The former world champion Hamilton drove his Mercedes to a best time of 1min 23.282sec off a modest total of 52 laps; the time set in the more favourable morning conditions.

Hamilton's former McLaren teammate Jenson Button was second fastest with 1:23.633 while Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne was third best with 1:24.071.

Mexico's Sergio Perez, who has succeeded Hamilton at McLaren, had the honour of the week's best time - 1:21.848 set on Wednesday.

Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Pastor Maldonado did not complete a lap as the team concentrated on pit stops.

The new Formula One season gets underway in Melbourne on March 17.