21/02/2013
NEWS STORY
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Once again, the morning session has been free of red flags, and unlike yesterday there is no threat of rain, though it remains unseasonably cool.
A number of driver changes today, the most interesting being Adrian Sutil's return to Force India, the German cheered on by his girlfriend. With only five more days of testing before Melbourne, it is still unclear who will partner Paul di Resta this season, with Jules Bianchi back in the VJM06 tomorrow.
Giedo van der Garde was the first driver to post a time, though the Caterham still appears to be struggling, the CT-03 making a horrible noise shortly before the break.
Following yesterday's exhaust problems - explained away by Luca Marmorini - it has been a trouble free day, thus far, for Fernando Alonso, enjoying his third, and final, day in the F138.
Once again the flo-vis has been noticeable as teams continue their aero programmes before switching to tyre comparisons this afternoon.
Maldonado has been busiest thus far, the Venezuelan completing 79 laps on his way to the fifth best time of the morning, while Rosberg and Button have both only completed 29 laps.
Alonso's best time of 1:21.875, was set on the soft rubber, and compares to the 22.952 posted on Tuesday and 23.247 posted on Wednesday, both set with the medium rubber.
Morning Times - All Times Unofficial
| Name | Team | Laps | Time | Gap |
| Alonso | Ferrari | 51 | 1:21.875 | 127.184 mph |
| Hulkenberg | Sauber | 43 | 1:22.160 | 0.285 |
| Grosjean | Lotus | 47 | 1:22.188 | 0.313 |
| Rosberg | Mercedes | 29 | 1:22.627 | 0.752 |
| Maldonado | Williams | 79 | 1:22.675 | 0.800 |
| Button | McLaren | 29 | 1:22.840 | 0.965 |
| Sutil | Force India | 39 | 1:22.877 | 1.002 |
| Webber | Red Bull | 46 | 1:23.024 | 1.149 |
| Vergne | Toro Rosso | 66 | 1:23.366 | 1.491 |
| Chilton | Marussia | 33 | 1:26.416 | 4.541 |
| Van der Garde | Caterham | 50 | 1:27.344 | 5.469 |
Check out our Thursday gallery, here.