Mercedes are THAT confident things are going well, it looks like they are sending Roscoe out for testing today.

They aren't, of course, I'm fairly certain Roscoe is munching on a bowl of doggie food as we speak.

Instead it is Lewis Hamilton who is out this morning, and he has just clocked the first time of the day - a 1:39.316.

Image source, Mercedes

I didn't think I'd be reading the lyrics to a-ha's seminal hit Take On Me so early in the morning, but there we have it.

All systems go! 

McLaren, like Ferrari, are out early doors.

How long did we wait until Kimi Raikkonen made an appearance on track yesterday? Three hours?

My colleague Chris Osborne was bursting with anticipation during that time. He'll be delighted to know the flying Finn is straight out today.

Before we properly crack on with today's on-track shenanigans, let's take quick glance at how Thursday panned out.

The FIA handily put together a list of the drivers' times from yesterday, as well as the tyres they were set on.

Image source, FIA

Right then, away we go with nine hours of testing.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

If you want a good example of just how good shape Mercedes are in as the first of two pre-season tests comes to an end, look no further than the fact they have had to adjust how they use their drivers so as not to over-exert them. After two days of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg doing 150+ laps each, Mercedes decided on Wednesday to give them a half-day each on the remaining two days. 

Mercedes described this as ‘precautionary to keep the drivers fresh for Melbourne. We’re targeting 800 km a day and it’s just a heck of a lot in one hit, so better to break it up - two half marathons easier than one whole marathon in endurance terms.’ Williams technical chief Pat Symonds had another word for this quote remarkable state of events with what is, after all, a brand new car and engine. ‘Amazing,’ he said. 

Oh yes, and in case you were wondering about their position in the middle of the list of fastest laps, Nico Rosberg admitted that Mercedes had not shown their hand. ‘The car is quick,’ the German said. No kidding.

Image source, Getty Images

It has been smooth sailing for these boys so far.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have racked up 490 laps between them in the three days of testing so far. They've been doing so many in fact that they've mixed things up for the last two days, with the drivers getting a half a day each.

Better yet for Mercedes fans, Rosberg insists they haven't even come close to showing what they are capable of.

Debonair but with a hint of well-placed arrogance - Mercedes are the Leslie Phillips of Formula 1.

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes: Hamilton/Rosberg

Ferrari: Raikkonen

Williams: Massa

Red Bull: Kvyat

Force India: Celis

Renault: Magnussen

Toro Rosso: Verstappen

Sauber: Nasr

McLaren: Alonso

Manor: Haryanto

Haas: Gutierrez

Right then, the final day of the first test gets under way at 08:00 GMT. 

Fancy knowing who are in the cars?

Back as normal they say? That'll be a day in the garage then...

I jest, of course. It is only testing - no need for doom and gloom at this stage - but after the year McLaren had last year, you can't help but err on the side of caution.

Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso got plenty of laps under their belt on the first two days. Fingers crossed for more of the same today.

Image source, Get

 "A big step forward," he said. 

"I'm proud of what we have achieved," he said.

And then this happened...

A minor blip? Or are those cheeky technical gremlins causing mischief once again?

Let's see what today brings...