Postpublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
In fact, Rio is in one of just three cars to knock clock a lap so far.
The Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen and Williams of Felipe Massa are the others.
Summary
Hulkenberg quickest on day three
Grosjean and Haas second
Rosberg and Hamilton share Mercedes duties
Vettel quickest on first two days
Postpublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Postpublished at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Image source, Getty ImagesA big day for this man.
His name is Rio. And... you know the rest.
Rio Haryanto gets to strut his stuff in the Manor today for the first time.
Go well, my friend.
'Mercedes stronger than ever'published at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer“Sebastian Vettel has set the fastest time on both of the first two days of pre-season testing so far. Which, on the face of it, might suggest Ferrari’s promise of being able to fight neck-and-neck with Mercedes might come true.
"But Fernando Alonso is not so sure. After his first day in the McLaren, on which Nico Rosberg completed 172 laps - nearly three race distances - in the Mercedes, the Spaniard had bad news for anyone expecting a two-way title fight.
"‘The Mercedes domination did not finish,’ Alonso said. ‘They are very, very strong. They are doing some interesting days now in testing, with that number of laps means you have very clear things. So when they put down the potential of the car as well, they are stronger than ever probably.”
No Kimi, no partypublished at 08:17 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
#bbcf1
Image source, Getty ImagesToday is the day I've been waiting for.
The man, the myth, the legend that is Kimi Raikkonen will take his Ferrari to the tarmac.
My admiration for the fantastic Finn is so high, that I've compiled a list of things that are almost as awesome as Kimi Raikkonen:
- Comfortable slippers
- Finding a fiver in an old pair of jeans
- Okapis (Google them, they're adorable)
- Fizzy cola bottle sweets
- Pina coladas
- Getting caught in the rain
- Paul Rudd
If you can add anything to my list of Things Almost As Awesome As Kimi, then use #bbcf1 on Twitter.
Postpublished at 08:11 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Nico Rosberg is already five laps to the good.
Jenson Button is out there too.
No Kimi, yet.
Postpublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
I reckon everyone turned up at the Circuit de Catalunya this morning and Nico was still whizzing around doing laps.
Postpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you're a bit behind and want to catch up on the events of yesterday, let our chief F1 writer Andrew Benson take you by the hand and lead you through it.
Fernando Alonso's future, who was fastest, what do the times mean and what was all this stuff about purple tyres?
Go! Go! Go!published at 08:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Cars are now allowed to drive on to the track and into the Barcelona sunshine.
I'll let you know if any of the teams choose to action their option to do that.
Who's in?published at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Here's the full list for today. Testing starts in six minutes.
Confirmation of Kimi Raikkonen for Ferrari, Felipe Massa for Williams, Daniil Kvyat for Red Bull and Jenson Button for McLaren.
Why?published at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Here's Mercedes' explanation for the sharing of duties today...
The inference is that they don't want their drivers to be shattered come the Australian GP on the weekend of 18 March.
So by that logic, you'd expect them to share again tomorrow.
May I also suggest - do fewer laps.
Sharing the Mercedespublished at 07:46 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Let's get straight in with a bit of news.
And after smashing out 172 laps yesterday, Nico Rosberg is going to be placing his German buttocks straight back into that seat this morning.
And then, after lunch, they'll be replaced by the English buttocks of Lewis Hamilton, who completed 156 laps himself on Monday.
Day 3 beginspublished at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2016
Welcome back or, if this is your first visit to us this week, then welcome to the party.
It's the third day of testing this week in Barcelona and so far we've learned that the Mercedes can go forever, the Ferrari can go quick (but quick enough?) and that the Mastercard Lola has a special place in our hearts.
But today things get real, because it's Kimi Raikkonen day.
Remember - no Kimi,no party.
Image source, Getty Images