Kimi fastest in final test while champ Vettel struggles

BARCELONA: Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, driving a Lotus, clocked the best time of the week on the final day of pre–season Formula One testing at Montmelo on Sunday.

The Finn, who has returned to F1 after a spell in the World Rally Championship, timed 1:22.030 after completing 121 laps.

In sharp contrast, defending world champion Sebastian Vettel was the slowest on the day with a time of 1:23.608 in his Red Bull after his team managed just 23 laps.

“We would have liked more time on the track but we had a problem in the morning,” said Vettel

“I went on the circuit and broke the front wing, lost time and then, just before the interval, we had a problem with the gearbox.”

Seven–time world champion Michael Schumacher, whowaseighth fastest on Sunday, believes the testing period has demonstrated that there will be little to choose between the teams this season.

“The car felt good from the very beginning, and we have managed to improve it over the test days, so I think we can say that we are very well prepared,” said the Mercedes driver.

“Again, what this means compared to our competitors is something I want only to go into after some races, as we all know that testing does not show everything.

“What we can say though is that the field is tighter than it has been, so we are looking forward to an exciting season.”

The 2012 Formula One season gets under way in Melbourne on March 18.