Hulkenberg fastest for Force India in Barcelona (Pictures)

Jack Sargeant On February - 22 - 2012

Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, Barcelona, 2012

Nico Hulkenberg ended the second day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya fastest, beating Sauber’s Sergio Perez to the top of the timesheet by four-hundredths of a second.

The Mexican Perez managed second place, despite being hindered with an exhaust problem late on in the day’s running.

Sebastian Vettel, who was fastest yesterday, finished third quickest, ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. Vettel and Alonso will hand their cars over to their respective teammates Mark Webber and Felipe Massa tomorrow.

Daniel Ricciardo was fifth ahead of Lewis Hamilton, despite the Toro Rosso driver twice stopping out on track with problems. Hamilton in the McLaren, set 120 laps – more than anyone else.

Nico Rosberg was seventh ahead of Williams test driver Valtteri Bottas, with Vitaly Petrov ninth in his first outing in the Caterham he’ll drive in 2012. Charles Pic was the slowest driver in the 2011 Virgin.

Lotus didn’t run after abandoning testing yesterday.

Timesheet

1. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:22.608, 112 Laps
2. Sergio Perez, Sauber, 1:22.648, 85 Laps
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:22.891, 104 Laps
4. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:23.180, 87 Laps
5. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1:23.639, 50 Laps
6. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:23.806, 120 Laps
7. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:24.555, 82 Laps
8. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:25.738, 117 Laps
9. Vitaly Petrov, Caterham, 1:26.605, 69 Laps
10. Charles Pic, Marussia*, 1:27.343, 108 Laps

* indicates 2011 car