Sergio Pérez topped the timesheets on the penultimate day of testing in Barcelona that was interrupted by rain towards the end of the session. The Sauber driver set a lap time of 1 minute 22.094 on Pirelli’s soft tyre compound – three tenths slower than the time that put him quickest on Day 3 of last year’s test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The second week of testing concluded with Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi posting the fastest lap of the week. He also put in the most mileage of any driver – 244 laps over his two days at the wheel, pipping Williams’ Pastor Maldonado on both counts. Four different teams topped the timesheets across the four days…

Sauber had a solid if quiet 2011, improving on the previous season if not really lighting up the track. The problem was the exhaust blown diffuser, or lack of one to be exact. The diffuser project never really got off the ground and was eventually scrapped but that may leave them in a stronger position for this season now that that particular playing field has been levelled.

Part three in the qualifying analysis series of posts takes a look at the performance of Renault, Mercedes and Sauber, three mid-field teams hoping for performance gains that will take them closer to the front.

Everyone here at Viva F1 HQ hopes you had a great Christmas and we’ve also got one last Caption This… for 2011. This week it’s a shot of Sergio Pérez taken during Sauber’s training camp earlier in the year. All we need is an amusing caption for our delight and delectation and so it’s over to you – ladies and gentlemen, do your best worst.

Curiously, Kamyui Kobayashi’s preparations for his home Grand Prix involved racing a soapbox Sauber down the Suzuka pit straight. He is reported as being the race winner although I’m not sure anyone else took part. On the other hand, it makes perfect cannon fodder for this week’s Caption This… So it’s over to you. Ladies and gentlemen, captions please.