Image source, McLaren

Here's a shot of Fernando Alonso pulling out of the garage for the first time in the McLaren.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, Reuters

"Sebastian Vettel is the first man to try the new Ferrari, running over both the first two days as the Italian team have given Kimi Raikkonen a bit of extra time off following the birth of his son last week. The new SF15-T looks quite similar to last year's car, but the redesigning of 2014's 'vacuum cleaner' nose has tidied up the aesthetics and the team have worked hard on tighter packaging at the rear to improve downforce.

"'The car looks beautiful,' Vettel says. 'To see how it comes together is always something special. I can't wait to go on track and see how it feels.' Vettel, who runs on Sunday and Monday before handing over to Raikkonen, continues to say that driving for Ferrari is 'special'. This writer is not alone in F1 in wondering how long the honeymoon period will last."

Nico Rosberg is currently fastest, as we approach the two-hour mark. The German is two seconds clear of Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull with Sauber's Marcus Ericsson 0.6 seconds adrift. Sebastian Vettel is fourth in the Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz Jr completing the leaderboard in fifth.

Fernando Alonso is back in the pits, having completed an installation lap. That means only Williams and Lotus have yet to head out on track.

Image source, Tom Clarkson

Hurrah! The new McLaren finally breaks cover! Fernando Alonso heads out.

Image source, Red Bull

Red Bull:, external If you see us passing by, give us a smile! #CamoBull #F1.

Image source, EPA

Williams were the first to reveal images of their 2015 car, with the Grove-based team aiming to close the gap on world champions Mercedes and score more than the nine podiums they achieved in an impressive 2014 season.

The team, running Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, finished third in the constructors' championship last year. This year, they've produced a car which looks visually similar to its predecessor but features significant changes under the skin.

The car was officially unveiled in the pit lane this morning, but we've yet to see it out on track.

McLaren's Honda-powered car has been fired up before being revved up and down. A bunch of snappers are hovering on the other side of the pit lane waiting to get their shot. Unfortunately, they'll have to wait a little longer as the engine is switched off and the car remains parked behind the screens.

Image source, AP

For those of you wondering where the always-entertaining Kamui Kobayashi will be this season after losing his drive with Caterham, I can report that he has signed up for a season in Japan's Super Formula national championship.

"Happy to back my home race after 12 years in Europe," said the Japanese driver on his Facebook page. "I would like to provide exciting driving and an amazing show on track! All races will take place in Japan so please come to Japan and let's have a real race with me!"

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a shot of Sauber's Marcus Ericsson spinning, which caused the first red flag of the day...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"It has been an impressive, and you could say ominous, start to testing from Mercedes. The silver car, clearly quite heavily revised since last year, is already pounding around Jerez like a train. And Nico Rosberg is 2.6secs clear of the next fastest man - Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull. It's early days but that does nothing to undermine Mercedes' status as strong pre-season favourites."

Force India's Nico Hulkenberg:, external Relaxing this morning! Watching some #grandslamtennis! great fight so far between #DjokovicvMurray

You can watch the final live along with live text commentary here.

After an early flurry of activity, only Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel are out on track. We've still yet to see the McLaren, Lotus and Williams.

Sam:, external the cars look so much better with the ugly noses gone. Especially like the look of the McLaren Honda car, hope it can produce results.

Luke:, external Best livery is still the Williams, such a shame McLaren didn't go retro too! Merc looks tidy and even quicker.

Paul Treadaway:, external Toro Rosso is definitely the standout for me, although the Sauber also looks good!

Nico Rosberg believes he needs "to find a tiny step" to turn the tables on Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and beat him to the world title this season.

"I have looked at last year and analysed it and I'm trying to do even better," says Rosberg, who won five races to Hamilton's 11 but out-qualified him more often. "I need to find a tiny step and I'm sure I can do it.

"It was close and I can do it. It is one step higher and either way it is going to be a great year again."

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

"Mercedes' closest rivals last year, at least in terms of the championship, were Red Bull, whose new RB11 has been unveiled this morning. Much has been made of chief technical officer - and resident genius - Adrian Newey stepping back a bit from F1, to spend some of his time on other projects - namely Red Bull's association with Ben Ainslie's America's Cup bid and the yet-to-be-announced Red Bull road car.

"But this year's F1 car is still his baby. 'Adrian has had a bit less input,' says team principal Christian Horner, 'but he has still been very much the architect of this car. He will be at this test. He is splitting his time now around 50/50, but 50% of Adrian's time is quite significant.'"

F1 journalist Dan Knutson in Jerez: "There is lots of activity going on behind the screens in the McLaren pit as the team is working to get the new McLaren-Honda MP4-30 out on track for the first time. And across the pit lane the photographers are waiting to snap the first photos of the car."

We're back under way in Jerez with Nico Rosberg improving to a 1:23.106, 2.6 seconds clear of the field.

Lotus, Williams and McLaren have yet to send a car out after just over an hour of testing. The session will run until 16:00 GMT, so there's still plenty of time left.

We have our first red flag of the day - and having just spoken about Sauber, it's the blue and yellow car which has caused it. Marcus Ericsson has an issue in the first sector, but has since recovered to make it back to the pits. We should be back under way shortly.