Mercedes GP gets lift as Rosberg sets fastest lap time at F1 testing; Massa 3rd for Ferrari
By APSaturday, February 27, 2010
Mercedes’ Rosberg leads F1 testing in Barcelona
BARCELONA, Spain — Nico Rosberg gave Mercedes GP’s Formula One fortunes a lift by setting the fastest lap at a preseason testing session.
The German driver was more than seven-tenths of a second faster than Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso in Barcelona on Saturday.
Teammate Michael Schumacher said Friday that Mercedes is unlikely to challenge for victory at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix next month.
Defending champion Jenson Button finished just behind Buemi for McLaren, while Rubens Barrichello of Williams and Felipe Massa of Ferrari rounded out the top five.
Ferrari is among the early favorites for the title along with Red Bull, whose driver Sebastian Vettel was nearly 2.5 seconds back in eighth. He was limited to 51 laps because of mechanical troubles.
