Wehrlein keeps Mercedes top despite illness

Pascal Wehrlein shrugged off the remnants of his illness to set the pace on the final morning of Formula 1 testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Mercedes test driver was originally supposed to run on both days of the F1 test, starting with Force India on Tuesday and then Mercedes on Wednesday, but a fever would force him to sit out his first outing in favour of a day in bed.

Back in the Mercedes for day two of the test having taken over from Nico Rosberg, the DTM driver picked up from where his countryman left off by setting the quickest time in the morning of 1min 26.641secs, even if he admits he is still feeling under the weather.

"I'm feeling better, but still not perfect," he said. "Monday I was really, really bad. Our team doctor it was better to rest yesterday, and to be fit for today. I was ill, fever, with pain in my fingers and muscles. I was quite bad, I was in bed and feeling really disappointed."

"The doctor visited me constantly in the hotel, checking on my progress, making sure my recovery was okay. He allowed me to drive today, but still I'm not perfect. I'm taking some medicine, which makes me a little better.

"The car is in better shape than I am, it definitely feels good. We are doing some programmes, long runs, set-up work, just a normal test day."

Indeed, Wehrlein is frustrated to have missed out on a day of F1 mileage given that such an opportunity is scarce in the sport.

"I'm very disappointed because there are not many options to drive a Formula 1 car during the season, so to miss one day - especially for me - is really bad because I need the experience and time in the car."