• Second Barcelona Test, Day One

Hamilton 'really happy' with Mercedes progress

Lewis Hamilton will next drive the Mercedes on Saturday © Getty Images

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Lewis Hamilton declared himself "really happy" that Mercedes is making progress with its W04 in pre-season testing.

Although Mark Webber topped the times on the opening day of the final test in Barcelona by over 1.6s, Hamilton was second fastest and the most productive driver of the day as he completed 113 laps. Hamilton said that while Thursday's running had been tricky he had seen enough progress during a race simulation to give him cause for optimism.

"It has been difficult conditions today but it dried up later on and we got some good running in," Hamilton said. "It was a good race simulation and I'm just really happy that we're making progress, moving forward, the guys are doing a fantastic job back at the factory so I'm very happy."

Asked if Mercedes had managed to bring more downforce to the car, Hamilton said he would know when the team introduced upgrades later in the test.

"We'll find out in the next couple of days. I'm pretty sure they have, so as I said I'm really happy that they're making steps forward. I think either tomorrow or Saturday we'll put some upgrades on the car - as everyone will - and I'm really looking forward to seeing that. That's always the most exciting couple of days of the pre-season testing because that's when we get the full package."

Hamilton still insisted he had no idea as to the relative competitiveness of Mercedes, however.

"I honestly don't because everybody's on different fuel loads. Sometimes we're on 100 kilos, sometimes we're on 150 kilos, sometimes 110, sometimes 70, so you never know what other people are doing so we just have to wait and see."

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