Finland's Kimi Raikkonen registered the fastest time in Formula One testing so far this season on the third day of the second test in Barcelona.

Raikkonen beat teammate Sebastian Vettel's previous best time from last week on ultrasoft tires in 1 minute 22.765 seconds.

Even more encouragingly for ­Ferrari, Raikkonen even beat the best time ­posted so far by dominant world champions Mercedes on the soft tire compound.

German Nico Hulkenberg was second-quickest as Force India continued to show good preseason pace with Dutch teenager Max Verstappen third for Toro Rosso.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg posted another 80 laps in fourth-fastest on the medium tires.