Wehrlein on top as Abu Dhabi test ends

F1 Test, Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit

Mercedes test driver Pascal Wehrlein ended the 2014 running by putting Mercedes on top of the timesheets, as has so often been the case this year. The day effectively concludes 2014, with the next track action only foreseen at the Jerez winter test in 2 months time.

Raffaele Marciello was second fastest of the day after Wehrlein jumped atop the timesheet late in the afternoon session. Max Verstappen in the Toro Rosso was third fastest, despite encountering a Renault engine blow-up on the back straight just before noon.

At Sauber, Marcus Ericsson continued to build experience with his new team while Will Stevens added 76 laps to his Formula One tally. He improved by 0.5s on his best from day 1. Both men were faster than Spike Goddard, a newcomer at Sahara Force India.

In the morning, Sahara Force India was also seen testing the new Info Wing device, an LED information system aimed at delivering easy-to-read race information to fans in the grandstands. Fitted to the airbox camera mounting, the Info Wing shows the driver’s name, position, and tyre compound, and has been designed with a view to improving the trackside experience at grands prix.

Daniel Ricciardo was 7th fastest but saw his running end a few hours early after he too experienced a spectacular Renault engine failure.

Felipe Nasr, test driver for Williams and next year's Sauber race driver was 8th fastest in the Williams, followed by Lynn and Ocon. The two youngest shared driving duties in the Lotus E22 with Ocon coming in action before noon and Lynn debuting in an F1 car after lunch.

Stoffel Vandoorne finally had a similar day to yesterday with McLaren still struggling with electrical issues. Vandoorne went out one time and halted alongside the track on his second of a scheduled four-lap run.