Postpublished at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Lewis Hamilton is joined on the circuit by this morning's pacesetter Max Verstappen, who got plenty of mileage in before lunch.
Summary
Maldonado fastest on third day of testing
Vettel in gravel on testing return
Ferrari driver goes on to complete over 100 laps
Lewis Hamilton enjoys trouble-free day
Jenson Button misses most of afternoon
Postpublished at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Postpublished at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, McLarenMcLaren:, external The iconic MP4/4 joins us in the garage today. Looks stunning despite the grey Barcelona skies.
Postpublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Lewis Hamilton also heads out on to the circuit as Pastor Maldonado's brief foray comes to an end.
Grey skies above the circuit, and only a few spots of rain falling.
Go! Go! Go!published at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Right then, thanks for sticking with me over lunch and for those of you who have returned or just joined, welcome!
The afternoon session is live and out goes Pastor Maldonado.
Postpublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, Romain GrosjeanRomain Grosjean:, external Preparing tomorrow's running with my engineers. Looking sunny
Postpublished at 12:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 12:51 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
This is Ferrari's view on how the morning went:, external "Sebastian went off the track at Turn 5 on his first out-lap, but no damage was done. After that, he went on to complete 46 laps over the course of the morning, the quickest in a time of 1.26:407, third fastest overall.
"Today's programme again features aerodynamic and set-up work. As the rain intensified, the team decided to slightly modify the programme, with normal work set to resume once it's over."
Postpublished at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Here's a couple of shots from this morning to enjoy over your lunch.
This is Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari being recovered after an early spin...
Image source, Getty Images...it was a busy morning for the Red Bull crew as Daniil Kvyat made a number of practice pitstops...
Image source, Getty Images...Kvyat had flow-vis paint on the back of his helmet at one point as the team looked to see where air flowed around the helmet...
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
After spinning off the cold track early on, it has been so far so good for Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari.
The new car has been impressive in winter testing, surely we are likely to see Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene running barefooted at some point in this season?
"I am not so crazy as to change the objectives now," Arrivabene said of the team's low-key objectives.
"Winning two races will be fine. Three will be perfect. Four and I run 100km without shoes to the Maranello hills."
Postpublished at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, Force IndiaForce India:, external Activity is not just in the garage - Sergio Perez sits in dramatic light when interviewed by NBC Sports.
Postpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Good news then, with McLaren's stop this morning not related to any problems with the car itself.
Postpublished at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer"McLaren have revealed why Jenson Button stopped out on track early in the morning's session. A spokesman said that it was all part of the team's plan to check that the newly redesigned part of the hybrid system fitted for Saturday to replace the one that failed on Thursday was working as hoped. A spokesman said: 'We made a planned stop of the car to confirm the MGU-K re-engineered sealing part installed this morning.' Button has since returned to the track, but the drizzle of late morning limited his running before lunch."
Not everyone takes a break...published at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesF1 journalist Dan Knutson in Barcelona: "Red Bull has a lounge area set up next to the engineers' office on the top of the transporters. But even if it were not a bit too cool for the engineers to be lounging around outside, they have far too much work to do to take a break."
Postpublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Get involved #bbcf1published at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Anthony Wyatt:, external You have made a OAP in Bexhill very happy hope bbc is there tomorrow. THANKS.:)
Good news Anthony, we will indeed be back with live text commentary tomorrow.
Summary of the morning sessionpublished at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Max Verstappen tops the timesheet for the morning
Sebastian Vettel spins in the Ferrari early on
Jenson Button's McLaren stops on circuit, returns after 90 mins
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton completes 41 laps
Postpublished at 12:03 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
The chequered flag is out to signal the end of the morning session. Felipe Massa crosses the line as everyone heads off for a bit of food.
Postpublished at 11:59 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, LotusLotus:, external Scores on the doors at the brink of lunch. We're staying inside whilst it's cold and wet outside.
Postpublished at 11:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Steady progress for Marcus Ericsson as he makes his third trip round the Circuit de Catalunya in the Sauber, but is still to set a timed lap.
He has just Sebastian Vettel for company with the others having gone back in.
Postpublished at 11:51 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2015
Image source, SauberFelipe Massa heads back in but there is further activity as Marcus Ericsson finally gets out on the circuit after problems with the Sauber this morning. He is joined be Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.