22/02/2013
NEWS STORY
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While the first couple of mornings were relatively quiet, today's rain has seen no less than six stoppages, four due to spins and two due to drivers stopping out on track.
Felipe Massa, in the F138 for the first time this week, was the first driver to spin off, followed by Van der Garde, Gutierrez and Vergne, whilst Webber suffered a technical problem, as did the hapless Dutchman in the Caterham.
The rain eased off long enough for Hamilton and a few others to improve their times but around half-an-hour before the break it started to fall again.
Thankfully, none of the spins has resulted in serious damage to any of the cars, whilst Bottas' lack of a time is due to the Finn practicing pit stops and starts rather than opting for times. The Finn hands over to teammate Pastor Maldonado this afternoon.
The prospect of further rain this afternoon and the anticipated interruptions suggests that some teams will pack up early and head off back to base in order to evaluate this week's progress - or lack of it - before next week's all important final pre-season test here.
Morning Times - All Times Unofficial
| Name | Team | Laps | Time | Gap |
| Hamilton | Mercedes | 44 | 1:23.282 | 125.036 mph |
| Button | McLaren | 31 | 1:23.633 | 0.351 |
| Vergne | Toro Rosso | 37 | 1:24.071 | 0.789 |
| Bianchi | Force India | 25 | 1:25.732 | 2.450 |
| Gutierrez | Sauber | 51 | 1:26.239 | 2.957 |
| Van der Garde | Caterham | 23 | 1:27.429 | 4.147 |
| Massa | Ferrari | 47 | 1:27.553 | 4.271 |
| Webber | Red Bull | 34 | 1:27.616 | 4.334 |
| Chilton | Marussia | 21 | 1:29.902 | 6.620 |
| Grosjean | Lotus | 19 | 1:34.800 | 11.518 |
| Bottas | Williams | 23 | No Time |
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