Sebastian Vettel finished top with 1:24.939 with Lewis Hamilton 0.47s behind in second. Very early days, but an indication that these two will be duking it out more regularly this season?

Valtteri Bottas was third fastest for Williams, with Daniel Ricciardo fourth. 

Meanwhile, a decent morning for McLaren as Jenson Button clocked the sixth fastest time with 1:27.691, and they got through the session without any drama.

Hamilton was the busiest driver, completing an impressive 66 laps.

That's it! Lunchtime. The pack of hungry drivers depart the circuit and head for buffet. A break for one hour before they return to the circuit for the afternoon.

Image source, Manor

Just as the butties are being put out for lunch, Manor finally get themelves up and running as Pascal Wehrlein clocks a modest 1:35.637. With that, all cars have now set a time.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“As you will know if you have been reading the BBC Sport website this winter, F1 is planning to introduce cockpit head protection in 2017. 

"The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association is officially backing the move - in fact, chairman Alexander Wurz has been actively pushing for it - but it seems not all the drivers are in agreement. Last week, Daniel Ricciardo said it was time for the move, but Nico Hulkenberg says he is against it. ‘It is just a personal thing,’ he said on Monday. 'I just don’t like it. For me, it should be open. Single-seater racing was always open and i would like to see it remain open.’”

Sebastian Vettel to finish the morning section of testing top? He's just improved to 1:24.939. 

So far so good from Ferrari. Have they closed the gap between themselves and Mercedes?

Twenty five minutes until lunch and there is no change at the top.

Sebastian Vettel (1:25.206) is fastest ahead of Lewis Hamilton (1:25.409) and Valtteri Bottas (1:26.091). Daniel Ricciardo is one of the few movers on the timesheet, improving to fourth with a 1:26.704.

Image source, Haas

Lewis Hamilton is about to bring up his 50th lap of the morning. Romain Grosjean, meanwhile, had got 13 laps under his belt before losing the front wing of his Haas. Work to do for the new team during lunch.

Swift work as ever from the marhsals and the track is clear. We go again.

Looks like something came off the Haas...

Red flagpublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2016

11:23 GMT 22 February 2016

First red flag of the session. It would appear someone has lost something from their car...

Alfonso Celis, Force India's development driver, gets his team up and running with1:31.155 before Sebastian Vettel reclaims top spot after a 1:25.206, edging out Lewis Hamilton by two tenths of a second.

This will please McLaren fans, Jenson Button is currently fifth fastest with his best time a 1:27.691, 2.5s off the fastest lap time.

Still waiting for Manor to complete their first timed effort.

F1 journalist Dan Knutson in Barcelona: "Here are the transporters Team Haas will use during the European season."