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Jerez test: Sebastian Vettel quickest again as Lewis Hamilton's return hits a leak

Hamilton's running comes to an early end after a water leak on his Mercedes; Daniil Kvyat forced to complete day without a front wing; McLaren restricted to less than ten laps on second successive day

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Catch up with all the latest from the second day of testing from Jerez.

Sebastian Vettel finished his week’s driving as the fastest driver for the second successive day at the first pre-season test in Jerez as Mercedes hit reliability problems.

The four-time world champion set an impressive time of 1:20.984 before the rain fell to comfortably top the day’s timesheet ahead of Sauber rookie Felipe Nasr.

"I think we had a different approach to Mercedes," cautioned Vettel. "They didn’t do as many laps as yesterday and they are still the favourites. There was a lot of stuff we learnt and in that regard it was good to get a lot of running.

"It is still very early to tell. Some people didn't show much and Mercedes were doing longer runs. But definitely it is a good platform to start working from."

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Ted Kravitz looks back at the second day of testing from Jerez.

World champion Lewis Hamilton tested the new Mercedes W06 for the first time and appeared set to follow team-mate Nico Rosberg’s opening day effort of recording completing over 100 laps. However, after a comfortable morning, the first chink in the W06’s armour appeared when a water leak saw the 2014 title winner grind to a halt on the pit entry.

A subsequent investigation revealed a failed part and the Silver Arrows were forced to sit out the final three hours of running while they repaired the car for Tuesday’s session when Rosberg will return.

Mercedes weren’t the only team to encounter problems, however, as McLaren continued to struggle to put mileage on their new Honda power unit. In scenes reminiscent of the struggles Renault endured in Jerez 12 months ago, Jenson Button added just six laps - the same tally recorded by Fernando Alonso on an equally-problematic first day for the McLaren-Honda outfit. 

More from Jerez Test 2015

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Ted Kravitz is joined by Williams' Chief Technical Director Pat Symonds to discuss this year's front nose changes.

Daniil Kvyat had a memorable debut with Red Bull - but for all the wrong reasons. The young Russian damaged his front wing during an early installation lap and with no replacement part available he was forced to continue his programme with just a nose cone on the RB11.

Max Verstappen made a solid if unspectacular start to life in F1 at the wheel of the STR10. The Dutchman also earned himself some valuable wet weather experience after braving the final hour downpour.

Another squad gaining much needed experience were Lotus as they begin their relationship with Mercedes after ending a 20-year partnership with Renault. Having missed the opening day their car was shipped to Jerez and prepared overnight allowing Pastor Maldonado to complete 37 laps.

Day two timesheet

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:20.984, 89 laps

2. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, 1:21.867, 88 laps

3. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:22.319, 61 laps

4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:22:490, 91 laps

5. Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 1:24.167, 73 laps

6. Pastor Maldonado, Lotus, 1:25.802 41 laps

7. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:54.655, 6 laps

8. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull, No time, 18 laps

The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary from all four days of testing in Jerez –  from dawn on Sunday to dusk on Wednesday. Sky Sports News HQ will also have live updates from trackside

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