Kobayashi tops day two in Jerez

Kamui Kobayashi put Sauber at the top of the timesheets with a last-minute flying lap as Formula 1 teams enjoyed plenty of dry running on the second day of this week's Jerez test. Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi had topped the times for most of the session, which began with a slightly damp track but soon improved and allowed the pit lane to make up for the mileage lost during yesterday's incessant rain.

The Swiss driver looked set to hold his position until Kobayashi threw in a 1m19.950s just after the session was restarted for a few minutes after a late red flag.

Jenson Button was third, despite his McLaren stopping on track in the final ten minutes and causing the late stoppage.

Nico Hulkenberg also prompted a stoppage early on when his Williams was halted by a hydraulic leak. It was swiftly repaired and the German ended the day fourth, ahead of an impressive performance from Force India's Tonio Liuzzi.

Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) took sixth, with Fernando Alonso only seventh for Ferrari. But both Ferrari and Mercedes had focused on longer runs today, with Schumacher completing 35 laps in one stint, and Alonso doing a 48-lap run.

JEREZ TEST – DAY TWO

Date Thursday 11 February
Track Circuito de Jerez
Driver Michael Schumacher

No of Laps 124 laps
Best Lap Time 01:21.083
Kilometers Covered 549 km
Track Length 4.428 km

Weather Fine
Ambient Temperature Maximum 18°C
Track Temperature Maximum 23°C

Michael Schumacher joined the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team in Jerez today for the second day of this week's four-day test. After yesterday's downpours, the weather stayed dry throughout the day enabling the team to complete a comprehensive test program with the MGP W01 car.

Michael spent the morning evaluating the different tire compounds provided by Bridgestone alongside some chassis set-up work, before working through a race simulation program in the afternoon. Michael completed 124 laps today making the most of the available dry track time.

Nico Rosberg will be back in the car tomorrow for the third day of the test.
Michael Schumacher: "I am very happy with how the day went today even if we could not finish our schedule completely due to red flags. However I managed to complete a lot of laps which is very precious to me. A new car, a new team and new conditions, therefore our first goal has to be to make the car reliable. Days like today help massively in that respect, especially as the weather forecast for the next few days isn't looking quite so rosy. I felt very comfortable driving the car and it was good fun today."

RESULTS (All timings are unofficial)

Pos Driver Car Time Laps
1. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber 1:19.950 103
2. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1:20.026 121
3. Jenson Button Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1:20.618 83
4. Nico Hulkenberg Williams 1:20.629 67
5. Tonio Liuzzi Force India 1:20.754 80
6. Michael Schumacher MERCEDES GP PETRONAS 1:21.083 124
7. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:21.424 129
8. Robert Kubica Renault 1:22.003 103
9. Mark Webber Red Bull 1:22.043 99
10. Timo Glock Virgin Racing 1:29.964 11