2014 Jerez test in pictures

On the 28th of January, the new Formula 1 era kicked off in Jerez as winter testing got underway.

© Octane Photographic

The four-day event was certainly interesting, with the new 2014 machinery breaking cover on track for the first time. Here is the test in pictures.

For all the times and statistics from the test, go here: http://bit.ly/MIvAQP

Mercedes kick-started the first winter test with its W05 car launch in the Jerez pitlane.

 Red Bull Racing were next to launch its 2014 car, revealing the RB10 shortly before the start of testing.

Just prior to the green light signalling the start of the first test day, Force India revealed its VJM07.

Kimi Raikkonen was fastest on the opening test day, but more importantly he managed 31 laps.

Lewis Hamilton's day came to an early end after a front wing failure at turn one caused him to make contact with the wall.

Rain showers caused Pirelli to make Wednesday the required wet-weather tyre test session, even adding more water to the already saturated track surface.

Jenson Button set the fastest time on day two, giving the McLaren MP4-29 its test debut.

Nico Rosberg completed the most laps of anyone on Wednesday, lapping the Jerez circuit 97 times.

Red Bull Racing's test went from bad to worse on day three, after Daniel Ricciardo's first lap at the wheel of the RB10 ended in rather smoky style.

The Marussia MR03 debuted on day three, with Max Chilton driving.

Kevin Magnussen set the pace on Thursday after taking over driving duties from his new team-mate for the afternoon.

The Mercedes W05 looked like the most reliable car once again, with Lewis Hamilton completing 62 laps on day three.

Meanwhile on the final day, the Mercedes team changed its schedule. After Rosberg completed well over a race distance in the morning, they opted to give Hamilton more track time for the afternoon session.

Felipe Massa ended the day fastest after a late run on the dry tyres. The track conditions were wet to start off with but it soon dried.

For the third consecutive day, Red Bull had to end its test running early. They opted to get a head start on the packing up process after just 21 laps over the four-day event.

Fernando Alonso topped the lap count on Friday with 115 laps, five more than Kevin Magnussen.

All images in this piece are courtesy of my photography partner Octane Photography. You can see more work from them here: http://octanephotos.co.uk/