Image source, Getty Images

Here's Carlos Sainz in action in the Toro Rosso. Plain blue livery, although it looks pretty black from this angle. Along with McLaren and Renault, we're not short of dark coloured cars this year.

One hour to go before a break for lunch and, so far, no team has been hit by any serious technical gremlins. Haas' first run is going well, with Romain Grosjean holding the seventh fastest time of the morning (1:29.310).

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg is the first driver to do a media briefing at testing this year and he is confident about the year ahead. 

"At first glance, the new Force India looks remarkably similar to the last one - to the extent that some have questioned whether it is in fact a new car. Hulkenberg is adamant that it is. 

"‘It’s definitely a new car - you have to look close and you will see some big changes,’ he said. ‘The sidepod's a bit different. Under the engine cover quite a bit different - although you won’t see that. All looking quite encouraging. I feel optimistic and confident we have done a good job over the winter to continue performing where we were last year and maybe even a bit closer to the front.’” 

Daniel Ricciardo, here, wisely protecting the paddock from being dazzled by his bright white teeth [see 08:24 entry]. 

Smart move, it'd be like Cyclops taking off his glasses in X-Men if he removes that helmet...

Here are the times so far. All very familiar at the top, with Mercedes going very well. Forty laps so far for Lewis Hamilton.

1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:25.409

2 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1:26.187

3 Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1:27.763

4 Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) 1:27.924

5Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) 1:28.424

6 Jenson Button (McLaren) 1:28.734

7 Romain Grosjean (Haas) 1:29.310

8 Jolyon Palmer (Renault) 1:33.388

9 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1:37.610

Lewis Hamilton, in the Mercedes garage, has just looked up and seen Sebastian Vettel is top of the timesheet.

"I'm having none of that," I like to imagine he thinks and promptly heads back out on to the circuit and reclaims top spot with 1:25.409. Have that.

Image source, .

Just had a quick look Michael and that domain name is up for grabs. 

There is one for McLaren-Honda, though, http://hasmclarenhondawonyet.com/, external

I somehow don't see that 'Nope' changing to a 'Yep' this year. Prove me wrong, guys.

With Jenson Button the man behind the McLaren wheel today, Fernando Alonso is keeping himself busy by taking selfies. 

This might make him smile. Button has just gone and put down his first timed lap of the day as a 1:28.734 sees him go fifth fastest out of eight.

Image source, _

The fine people behind http://hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com/, external haven't taken the news of no more Pastor Maldonado very well.

What website could they set up instead for one of the 2016 lot?

Sebastian Vettel's time of 1:26.187 is just over a second off the fastest lap from the first day of last year's test in Barcelona, with Pastor Maldonado leading the way back in 2015 with 1:25.011.

There's no Maldonado this year, having lost his seat to Kevin Magnussen.

Sebastian Vettel heads in and the circuit falls quiet again. 

Just over two hours into testing and Lewis Hamilton has spent the most time out on the track, racking up 28 laps in the Mercedes. So far so good.

Sebastian Vettel has been pretty quiet this morning, but announces his return to the circuit with a thumping 1:26.187, 0.825s faster than Lewis Hamilton's best effort so far.

Oh how we'd all like for these two to be tussling more regularly throughout this season.