Hamilton: I feel so much better with a lot more energy

Lewis Hamilton endured a tough test last time out in Barcelona as he was afflicted with a bug which sidelined him on day one and made for an uncomfortable second day in the cockpit, but on the opening day of the final preseason test the reigning F1 world champion was in fine fettle.

He said at the end of the first day, "I feel so much better this week. I have a lot more energy. I'm actually going to head back and go for a run now as I haven't had much to do this afternoon!"

However was not a hassle free day for Mercedes as the W06 remained in the garage after lunch owing to an MGUK failure, "Of course, we would have liked to have a few more laps today - especially as the sun came out later on. But sometimes you have those days. I don't see it as too much of a negative."

"It's good that you find these things, whatever issues you might have, and iron them out now. It means hopefully you won't find them at the first race. Testing is always difficult."

"If you get the whole day in the car, the sun is out and the tyres are working you can make more changes to learn where you want to put the car."

"Naturally, the more you drive the more you feel comfortable - but to be honest in the 50 laps I had today I felt ready to go. I had a positive feeling in the car and it was good to get the tyres working."

"I've got one more day to now hopefully have a clean run and really pinpoint where I want to put the car for the first race.," added Hamilton who begins the defense of his world championship in Melbourne next week.