Formula One: Raikkonen sets pace, Hamilton unhappy with rules change plans

Kimi Raikkonen tests the new Ferrari at the Catalunya racetrack near Barcelona on Thursday. (Photo: AP)

Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari posted the fastest time on the fourth and final morning of the first pre-season Formula One test in Barcelona on Thursday as McLaren-Honda were hit by more reliability problems.

Raikkonen posted the third fastest time of the week of 1min 23.477 on the new ultrasoft tyres, but was over six tenths of a second down on the time set by teammate Sebastian Vettel on the same setup on Tuesday.

Fernando Alonso managed only three installation laps for McLaren as their problems continued after a hydraulic issue curtailed Jenson Button’s second day in the MP4-31 on Wednesday.

However, Honda confirmed they are hopeful the two-time world champion will be able to run in the afternoon.

“@Alo_Oficial (Alonso) will be back behind the wheel of the #MP431 later today,” they posted on their official Twitter account.

A former McLaren man Kevin Magnussen enjoyed an encouraging morning for Renault on their return to the sport as a constructor with the second fastest time and 67 laps.

With the rest of the field prioritising testing reliability over speed, Max Verstappen was third fastest in a Toro Rosso.

Mercedes again piled on the laps as world champion Lewis Hamilton racked up 97 before handing over driving duties to Nico Rosberg for the afternoon down in sixth fastest. The German giants also caused a stir by debuting a new nose to the W07 which could give the runaway leaders in the past two drivers’ and constructors’ championships an even more commanding advantage in 2016.

Meanwhile, Hamilton has condemned plans to introduce heavier cars in 2017 and criticised rulemakers for failing to consult drivers.

A list of proposed bodywork changes for 2017 published by the governing FIA on Wednesday envisaged car weights increasing from 702kg to 722kg including bigger tyres which accounted for an estimated five kg.

The measures are part of a package of sweeping changes aimed at livening up the sport with faster, louder and more challenging cars, which will also be wider. “I don’t agree with the changes that have been made over many years,” Mercedes driver Hamilton said.

“I think the drivers should be consulted more. We have a feeling in the car and what could be made better. We do know what does not feel good and what to improve,” added the 31-year-old Briton.

Hamilton said cars were already too heavy and should be made substantially lighter as a means of making them go faster.