Formula 1 Testing: Times from Day 4 at Jerez

The fourth and final day of testing took place at a Jerez circuit still under the influence of the cold weather, which has gripped Europe for several weeks. 

Though the mercury eventually rose to a relatively balmy 15°C (59°F), sub-zero overnight temperatures are not what the drivers and teams have in mind during their early-year trips to warmer climes.

Jarno Trulli had his first taste of the new Caterham CT01, while Nico Hulkenberg finally drove the Force India VJM05 following Jules Bianchi's crash on Thursday morning.  Mercedes departed, and Kamui Kobayashi returned in place of Sergio Perez.

The fastest time was, somewhat surprisingly, set by Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari.  The Italian team had admitted they've been struggling to get to grips with the F2012, but the Spaniard managed a lap of 1:18.877.

Though four-tenths slower than Romain Grosjean's lap from yesterday, it's an improvement nonetheless.

01	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari	1:18.877	36 Laps
02	Jean-Eric Vergne	Toro Rosso	1:19.597	80 Laps
03	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull	1:19.606	50 Laps
04	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	1:19.640	86 Laps
05	Romain Grosjean	Lotus	1:19.729	91 Laps
06	Kamui Kobayashi	Sauber	1:19.834	73 Laps
07	Nico Hulkenberg	Force India	1:19.977	87 Laps
08	Bruno Senna	Williams	1:20.132	125 Laps
09	Jarno Trulli	Caterham	1:22.198	117 Laps

With Alonso the only man to set a time below the 1:19 mark, it's safe to say that today was, again, a session in which no one attempted to find the limit of their car.

The field spread was very small, only 1.3 seconds covering the top eight cars.  Caterham were again lagging behind, and though the line of the week has been "no one has shown their hand," after four days, we might have expected a little more pace from the former Lotus team.

Nine teams have run their new challengers.  Of those who have not, Mercedes will bring their 2012 car to the Circuit de Catalunya in two weeks, but, after a failed crash test, HRT will miss out.  Marussia will start their season at the third test in March.

Testing in Barcelona starts at 9 a.m. local time (CET) on Tuesday 21st February.