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Barcelona in-season test: Red Bull's Max Verstappen sets the pace

Dutchman continues fine start to life at Red Bull; McLaren second quickest; Wehrlein says he's ready for Mercedes

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Sky Italy's Antonio Boselli recaps the second day of in-season testing from Barcelona, which saw Max Verstappen top the timesheets

Max Verstappen topped the second and final day of the Barcelona in-season test as his fairytale start to life at Red Bull continued.

After winning on his debut with the former world champions at the Spanish GP, the Dutch teenager gained further valuable mileage as he continues to familiarise himself with the RB12.

Verstappen was running the updated Renault power unit and completed over 100 laps, with a best time of 1:23.267 enough to top the day's timesheet.

"I think it is positive, today was about checking the numbers and the reliability and it was all good. We didn't have any problems and could run the whole day," Verstappen told Sky Sports about the new engine.

Asked if he would like the upgraded power unit for Monaco he responded: "Of course, you always want more power."

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Max Verstappen was impressed with the upgraded Renault power unit he sampled during testing in Barcelona.

Stoffel Vandoorne was second quickest for McLaren, and was full of praise for the how much the car had improved since he drove it in the Bahrain GP.

"I had a few laps of adjusting to the car, but it definitely has progressed since I raced it in Bahrain," said the Belgian.

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"The car feels better in every area, with downforce feeling much improved compared to Bahrain."

Pascal Wehrlein third fastest for Mercedes. The German, who drove for Manor on Day One, was a late replacement for Esteban Ocon in the W07 after the Silver Arrows decided they needed a more experienced driver at the wheel.

Having fielded Nico Rosberg on Day One, it means Mercedes will now need to field young drivers on both days at Silverstone to satisfy the Sporting Regulations, preventing Lewis Hamilton from participating in in-season testing this year.

Rosberg is thought to be out of contract at the end of the season and currently in negotiations with Mercedes. Asked if he would be ready to take over in 2017 if Rosberg left, Wehrlein told Sky Sports: "Yes I would be ready."

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Pascal Wehrlein says he is ready for a Mercedes race seat in 2017 if Nico Rosberg was to leave the team.

Wehrlein was the busiest driver of the day, completing 133 laps in the W07. In all, eight of the 10 drivers reached the century lap mark.

Among those was Kevin Magnussen, who was also running the new Renault power unit. His 122 laps, combined with Verstappen's 118, gives the French manufacturer much-needed information amid rumours the new engine could be introduced as soon as next week's Monaco GP.

Daniil Kvyat was another to rack up the miles, completing 116 laps as he continues to familiarise himself with the Toro Rosso.

"It was quite an important day for myself today, as being able to get time in the STR11 was essential, and I now feel much more confident and ready for Monaco," said the Russian.

Williams continued with their high downforce setup that Alex Lynn had debuted on Tuesday. Felipe Massa was ninth quickest as the team gathered more data for 2017.

Making his debut in the 2016 Manor, Jordan King completed 91 laps, but finished over four seconds slower than Verstappen. 

Barcelona in-season test: Day Two timesheet

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 1:23.267, 118 laps

2. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, 1:24.006, 108 laps

3. Pascal Wehrlein, Mercedes, 1:24.145, 132 laps

4. Esteban Gutierrez, Haas, 1:24.592, 104 laps

5. Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari, 1:24.720, 118 laps

6. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 1:24.737, 116 laps

7. Alfonso Celis Jr, Force India, 1:25.016, 103 laps

8. Kevin Magnussen, Renault, 1:25.133, 122 laps

9. Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:27.167, 94 laps

10. Jordan King, Manor, 1:27.615, 91 laps

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