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Rubens Barrichello topped the timesheets on the final day of pre-season testing at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

The veteran Williams driver saved the best for last as he posted the quickest time of the whole four days of the multi-team test, his mark of one minute 19.832 seconds some seven tenths quicker than second-placed Kamui Kobayashi in the Sauber.

Williams' day was not without drama, however, the new FW33 stopping late in the day with a hydraulic problem which triggered a red flag.

"We completed some long runs today and looked at trying some different things on the car. This morning was also the first time we could run a few new sets of tyres and get some momentum," said Barrichello.

"The car performed as it should do so I am happy with that. The day went with minor problems, but we have some good direction and it is great to get some more mileage on the car."

Kobayashi's best time of 1min 20.601secs came after a spin into the gravel in the morning session, but he recovered to rack up a total of 86 laps.

Fernando Alonso was third for Ferrari, the Scuderia again enjoying impressive mileage as the Spaniard completed 115 laps.

Toro Rosso's good pace continued as they claimed fourth with Sebastien Buemi at the wheel, while Lotus Renault reserve Bruno Senna - who looks set to lose out to Nick Heidfeld in the race to replace the injured Robert Kubica - took fifth place.

Lotus again looked strong as Heikki Kovalainen claimed sixth place, while Nico Rosberg was restricted to 45 laps owing to an engine problem as he took seventh for Mercedes.

World champions Red Bull were again circumspect, the team happy to concentrate on long-fuel runs as Sebastian Vettel took the RB7 to eighth place.

Jenson Button complained of handling problems as he ended ninth for McLaren, while Jerome D'Ambrosio was 10th for Virgin Racing and Force India new boy Paul di Resta brought up the rear.

The third pre-season test gets under way at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona on Friday.

Labels: BARRICHELLO, IMPRESSES, Sportinglifecom, TESTING