McLaren's Lewis Hamilton came second with a best time of 1:20:737 after covering 93 laps in the 2009-spec MP4-24. The testing schedule included aero mapping and KERS tests.
“Today’s test gave me the first opportunity to drive the MP4-24 in warm, dry conditions - and I’m very encouraged by what I felt. The car feels strong, very similar to last year’s car, in fact. It doesn’t take long to get used to the new buttons in the cockpit but the real test for everyone now is to understand the slick tyres ahead of the first race,” Hamilton concluded after the testing session according to formula1.com.
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel completed the podium with a time of 1:20.738, only 0.001 of a second behind Hamilton. Williams’ Kazuki Nakajima in the FW31 arrived fourth after completing 92 laps.
Renault's Fernando Alonso covered the biggest number of laps, 133, as the team aimed to test various components, including the KERS device.
"Today was all about getting mileage on the car, especially with the new KERS system,” he explained. “It was my first full dry day in the car and so I was able to learn a lot. We completed lots of laps, which is encouraging and now we will start working on the set-up of the car so that I can get more comfortable with it.”
Here are the unofficial times from the third day at Jerez:
1. Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso, 1:18.493
2. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:20.737
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:20.738
4. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 1:20.898
5. Fernando Alonso, Renault, 1:21.307
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