Is Tom Cruise running a thing? If not, it should be.  

Nico Rosberg emerges in the Mercedes for the first time today, while the Manor of Pascal Wehrlein is not far behind.

Jennie Gow
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

Sauber have become the latest Ferrari-engined team to hit a problem with their power-unit. Haas are also stuck in the garage with engine problems - in their case the turbo over-speeded so needed to be changed. That’s after another turbo was already changed overnight.  

The works Ferrari team have also been having problems in this general area and this is leading to speculation that there is a problem with the 2016-spec Ferrari engine. Especially as Toro Rosso - who are using the 2015 engine - are not having the same issues. But Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene has told motorsport.com, external: “Ferrari does not have an engine problem. I can say that officially."

Image source, Getty Images

F1 journalist Dan Knutson in Barcelona: "Team owner Gene Haas spoke with the media during the lunch break. He is looking on the bright side of the technical problems – with the turbo and otherwise – the team is dealing with.

“This is very, very valuable track time,” he said, “but the good side of it is that it is very good time for the team figure these cars out. This is a brand new team, a brand new car, and a brand new engine package, so the process of actually trouble shooting and taking things apart and putting them back together has been very vulable in terms of the experiences we are inevitably have. 

"When you go to races you have problems, you have things that don’t work.”

Will Esteban Gutierrez get out this afternoon? Apart from an install lap early doors, he has been in the Haas garage all day.

Thirty-five minutes into testing and Nico Rosberg is in no rush to get out for his first run in the W07 today, although this tweet perhaps hints at that changing imminently.

Good name Tim, although Chuck Norris has also made it in.

In fact, Chuck Norris was already thinking about beating Mercedes before we started up #ifanythingcanstopmercedes, external.

As ever, there is a post-lunch lull in activity on the circuit. 

Marcus Ericsson, first out this afternoon, remains on the circuit, with Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz and now Daniel Ricciardo joining him.

Here's Jenson Button heading out a little earlier this afternoon.

Sebastian Vettel takes the total number of cars on the track post lunch to three as Marcus Ericsson clocks a personal best for the day with 1:28.103. 

There's no denying Lewis Hamilton is one of the best drivers on the grid right now, and Mercedes appear to still have the best car. Fortunately you lot have been finding some great ways to beat them.

Get involved via#ifanythingcanstopmercedes, external

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

On the subject of Lewis Hamilton, inevitably after he clinched his third world title last year there are those who wonder whether he can find the same motivation, drive and determination as in the past. Hamilton has no doubts about that. 

“You don’t need to find new motivation,” he said. “You use the same motivation you’ve used all your life.” 

And he made a very revealing remark in an answer to a question that was not even about him. One reporter asked him whether his friend the skier Lindsay Vonn should retire after her latest injury. He replied: “She’s the best. Why stop when you’re the best? You just keep going.”

Fancy a swap Lewis? 

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Lewis Hamilton has been speaking to the media over the lunch break after ending the morning fastest. The world champion admitted that he is getting impatient to start the season. 

“Testing is starting to get a bit dull because it is never the most exciting part,” Hamilton said. “I am ready to go racing. But it feels great to be back in the car. What the team has done this year already for the miles we’ve done, the strength in the team has grown even further and that is super-motivating for the season.” 

As for Mercedes’ closest rivals, he said: “Williams and Ferrari look like they are the most competitive - that’s what I’ve been told. I’ve not looked at a single lap time anyone else has done so I would be guessing.” 

Only a small delay for McLaren, in fact I wouldn't call it a delay at all, as Jenson Button joins Marcus Ericsson on the track.

Everyone else is still polishing off the sandwiches it seems.

Marcus Ericsson is making up for lost time as he heads out to add to his seven laps from this morning.

Some good mileage for McLaren in the morning, with Jenson Button completing 45 lap, but their return to the circuit for the afternoon has been delayed...