Published on 08:28 PM, February 28, 2017

Hamilton even faster in new Mercedes

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's British driver Lewis Hamilton drives at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 28, 2017 in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona. Photo: AFP

Three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton continued his ominous form on day two of pre-season testing as he set the fastest time and most laps in the new Mercedes W08 on Tuesday morning.

Hamilton bettered his best time from Monday in 1min 20.983sec to set the fastest time at the Circuit de Catalunya since 2013.

Radical new rules for the 2017 season mean F1 cars are wider and more powerful than their predecessors.

Hamilton will give way to new teammate Valtteri Bottas for the afternoon session.

Kimi Raikkonen was second fastest but nearly two seconds off Hamilton's time in his first outing in the Ferrari SF70.

Frenchman Esteban Ocon was third fastest for Force India.