Mar.11 (GMM) After skipping a chicane to set a fast lap earlier this week, Sauber rookie Sergio Perez on Thursday leapt to the top of the times on merit.

The Mexican was doing a full qualifying simulation on low fuel and a new set of super soft Pirellis, but world champion Sebastian Vettel was nonetheless impressed.

"Wow, that was a quick lap," the Red Bull driver is quoted as saying by Blick newspaper.

The laptime, faster than the field-leading Ferrari and Red Bull, was also the fastest time seen all year at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"I don't think I could have done that time," Force India's Adrian Sutil told Auto Motor und Sport.

The German added: "At the front are Red Bull and Ferrari. Toro Rosso look good, and Sauber have also been very fast."

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