JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain — Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel continued his positive start to life with Ferrari by going fastest again on a rain affected second day of pre-season testing here Monday. The German took nearly two seconds off the fastest time he set Sunday to record a best time of 1min 20.984secs in his 88 laps. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton was only fourth fastest, but Mercedes was again leader on laps completed as the Englishman did 91 before rain and a water leak from a failed part brought his afternoon to an early end. McLaren's struggles with its new Honda-powered MP4-30 continued as Jenson Button managed just six laps to add to the same number Fernando Alonso completed on day one. Red Bull was also left looking embarrassed when 20-year-old Daniil Kyvat damaged the only front wing it had with it in Jerez early on, which restricted the Russian to just 18 laps. By contrast, 17-year-old Max Verstappen enjoyed a fruitful opening day of his Formula One career for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso as he went fifth fastest in 73 laps. Sauber's surprising early reliability and speed was on show once more as Brazilian rookie Felipe Nasr was second fastest in racking up 88 laps just as teammate Marcus Ericsson had been Sunday. Finland's Valtteri Bottas also clocked up the miles with 61 laps as he went third fastest in the Williams. Lotus failed to get its new car on track Sunday and may have to wait until Tuesday before it makes a first appearance. The team, which switched from Renault engines to Mercedes power units at the end of last season, explained in a statement that the new E23 car had only arrived in Jerez Sunday after firing up at the factory for the first time the day before. The team, which has had financial difficulties and lost some key personnel, scored only 10 points last season and finished eighth overall after 315 the year before and ending up fourth overall. – Agencies
