Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time of the opening Barcelona pre-season test on a red-flag disrupted Friday to return to the top of the Formula One timesheets ahead of new team mate George Russell who completed a one-two for Mercedes.

The 37-year-old Briton surged to the top towards the end of the test’s final day, setting his one minute, 19.138 seconds benchmark eight minutes from the finish.

That put him 0.095 seconds clear of compatriot Russell, whose pre-lunch session-topping effort, stood as his best time of the day.

It marked a strong end to the first test for Mercedes, after a low-key opening two days of action. “It’s not been the easiest or the most smooth running,” said Hamilton.