Maldonado ends Barcelona test on top

Pastor Maldonado led the way as the post-Spanish Grand Prix test came to an end on Wednesday. The Lotus driver’s 1:24.871 on Super Soft tyres put him comfortably clear of nearest rival Nico Rosberg.

Having led the way in the morning session, Maldonado’s switch to Pirelli’s softest compound served only to strengthen his advantage over the rest of the drivers in action, many of which did not trial the product.

Rosberg closed in with a lap in the final hour of running, but ended the day the best part of a second adrift.

With Rosberg improving his best time, Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen slipped back to third, the Finn having to be pushed back to his garage by mechanics after a failed attempt to complete another run late in the day.

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