Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen posted the fastest time on the last of four days of Formula One testing in Barcelona before the start of the season in Melbourne.
The Finn set a best lap of 1 minute 22.030 seconds, leading Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Bruno Senna in a Williams.
Lotus were also fastest on the first two days at the Circuit de Catalunya after Romain Grosjean was quickest Thursday and Friday.
Red Bull’s world champion Sebastian Vettel went off the track in Sunday’s morning session, damaging his front wing before suffering gearbox problems and managing only 23 laps in total.
He had the slowest time of the day, more than 1.5 seconds off Raikkonen’s pace.
Although it is difficult to draw conclusions from the testing, many F1 observers are predicting the closest season for years, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix on March 18.
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said: “There are five or six teams that are a much closer grouping than we have seen for a number of years. I think we’re going to have a really exciting season. It could be one of the best years we’ve seen for a number of years.”
Vettel, who is seeking a third straight drivers’ title, said: “You never really know where you are until you get to Melbourne and everyone puts their cards down and you show what you have got in qualifying.
“In testing, you always have things you hope were better, there are not many years you can give yourselves a 10 out of 10. Overall we can be quite happy, happier than five and less than 10. Somewhere in between.”
Times: 1. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault) 1:22.030 (164 laps), 2. Sergio Perez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:22.094 (232) 3. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:22.103 (108), 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:22.155 (231), 5. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) 1:22.250 (240), 6. Bruno Senna (BRA/Williams-Renault) 1:22.296 (212), 7. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Force India-Mercedes) 1:22.312 (137), 8. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:22.386 (149), 9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) 1:22.413 (227), 10. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:22.430 (180)
