Spanish Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg back on top as Ferrari threaten to add to Lewis Hamilton's troubles

Hamilton was nearly three quarters of a second behind Rosberg and was beaten in practice by Kimi Raikkonen

Nico Rosberg continued his dominant start to 2016 by posting the fastest time in practice (Getty)

Championship leader Nico Rosberg laid down the gauntlet to Lewis Hamilton by topping the timesheets in second practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Rosberg, who has sauntered to victory at each of the four races so far this season to establish a 43-point lead over Hamilton, was nearly three quarters of a second faster than his Mercedes team-mate on Friday.

Indeed Hamilton's best lap at the Circuit de Catalunya was good enough only for third with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen splitting the Mercedes pair. Sebastian Vettel, fastest in the opening session, was fourth quickest in the sister Ferrari.

Rosberg is bidding to win an eighth consecutive race - a streak which stretches back to last season - and one which would see him become only the second driver to win as many grands prix in succession in the modern era. He is currently tied with Michael Schumacher, while Vettel holds the record with nine.

The 30-year-old German has played down his incredible run of success, but should he take to the top step of the podium once more on Sunday, both Vettel's winning record, and more importantly the championship, will surely be at the forefront of his mind.

For Hamilton, who visited New York, Athens, Miami, Barbados and Monaco following the last race in Russia, he is without a win since his dramatic triumph in October's United States Grand Prix - the scene of his third championship - now 200 days ago.

The Briton is due some luck, with car problems stalling the defence of his title, but a scruffy lap here in practice, forced him settle for third on Friday.

The second session in Barcelona as Formula One returns to Spain for the traditional start of the European season, was suspended for nearly 10 minutes after Briton's Jolyon Palmer suffered a high speed tyre blow-out in the opening moments.

The 25-year-old, who on Thursday insisted he will see out the season with Renault despite suggestions he could be replaced by Frenchman Esteban Ocon, brought his car to a halt at turn one.

The stricken Renault was taken back to the garage on a pick-up truck, while Palmer had to make do with the back of a scooter. The Englishman later rejoined the action to post the 17th best time.

Meanwhile, Pirelli, the sport's sole tyre supplier, has launched an investigation into the incident.


 Vettel and Raikkonen have shown enough pace to threaten Mercedes in Spain 
 (Getty)

Elsewhere, Max Verstappen, making his debut for Red Bull after Daniil Kvyat was demoted to Toro Rosso, finished both practice sessions behind his new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. Verstappen was eight in the second session with Ricciardo sixth.

McLaren, who achieved their first double-points finish since July, at the recent Russian Grand Prix, will be pleased with their pace here. Fernando Alonso finished the second session seventh, only 1.4 seconds adrift of Rosberg's best time while Jenson Button was 12th fastest.

PA