Romain Grosjean set the pace for Lotus as the final day of the second pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Grosjean’s speed suggested the Enstone-based team may be on for a revival after slipping to near the back last year.

But Nico Rosberg underlined Mercedes’s status as the team to beat by setting second fastest time on a slower tyre.

Grosjean’s time of 1 min 24.067 secs was the fastest of the four-day test, but it was set on the super-soft tyre.

“Everything is going in the right direction,” added the Frenchman.

“But it is very early in the year to make predictions.”

He added: “The first impressions of the new car are really good as everything we didn’t like on it has now gone.

“We’ve got rid of most of the weak points of last year’s car.

“I drove over 50 laps (during testing in Jerez) and enjoyed every one of them.

“The whole package feels better.”

Teammate Pastor Maldonado topped the timesheets on the opening day of the test last Thursday in 1.24.348 on supersoft tyres in the afternoon session.

It saw him finish just under four tenths of a second clear of Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen.

“We achieved a lot and it was great to complete so many laps and end the day as the fastest car,” said the Venuzuelan.

“Certainly, I feel much more confident in the E23 and we’re learning a lot about it with all the laps we’re completing.

“I’m able to push when needed and everything about the whole package feels a lot more together than last year, especially if you remember where we were in terms of performance and reliability in the pre-season in 2014.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but we’re making very good progress so we’re all very positive about the work being done.”

He added: “It is always good to see your name at the top of the timing monitors.

“And my fastest lap was just in the course of our normal programme for the day.

“It feels good to drive the E23 in Barcelona.

“The car responded well to the changes we made and we were able to complete a good number of laps.

“The team have made strong progress since Jerez and we have a great starting point for the rest of the week.

“The Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya is a perfect track to assess a new car so we’re happy with the progress that we made.”