Nico Rosberg topped the timesheets at Jerez on a day when persistent rain compromised teams programmes and lap times.

Vitantonio Liuzzi was first to test the Force India VJM03 on Wednesday as the Italian drove the car at Jerez. Unfortunately, like fellow British-based squads Red Bull and Virgin, the Silverstone team's first running of 2010 was hampered by heavy rain.

Bridgestone, Formula 1's sole tyre supplier, has announced which Slick compounds will be available to the teams for the first three rounds of this year's World Championship. According to the regulation introduced in 2007, each car must run both types of type compound on offer over a fully dry race distance.

Sauber was forced to cut short its testing programme on Wednesday as showers battered the Circuito Permanente de Jerez. With Kamui Kobayashi at the wheel of the soaked C29, the Japanese driver notched up the day's fifth fastest time.

Red Bull Racing experienced a somewhat frustrating first pre-season test of the year at Jerez on Wednesday. Following the launch of the Renault-powered RB6 in the pit lane at 8:30am, Mark Webber was in the cockpit on-track but was forced to remain in the pits for over four hours in the afternoon.

The Renault team was one of ten to be frustrated by the weather conditions in Jerez on Wednesday. As a spell of rain makes its way across Spain, Vitaly Petrov was able to complete only one dry stint of the southwestern circuit before showers made an appearance between 10am and 5pm.

Nico Rosberg was content with the overall performance and comfort of his Mercedes MGP W01 on Wednesday as he finished fastest of the ten cars testing at Jerez. The German was more relaxed after being the victim of a sinking seat in Valencia last week.

Contrary to reports in the Italian media on Tuesday which claimed that FIA President Jean Todt has confirmed that teams are permitted to miss three Grands Prix during a season, Formula 1's governing body has released a statement stressing that, in no uncertain terms, may any entrant fail to attend a race without breaking sporting rules.

Despite the clause in the Concorde Agreement which 'allows' teams to miss up to three races, the FIA has issued a warning to those teams that might be contemplating such a move.

Today's times from Jerez where ten teams were on duty.

Nico Rosberg and Mercedes finished at the top of the timesheets as pre-season testing continued in Jerez on Wednesday. Following three Ferrari-led days in Valencia last week, Fernando Alonso was fourth for the Maranello team as Red Bull, Force India and Virgin Racing all debuted their new cars in the rain.

Adrian Newey has described his latest design as a practical rather than radical concept. The Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing was pleased to see the RB6, which has been built around a double diffuser as opposed to the opposite, make an appearance on the Jerez track on Wednesday in the hands of Mark Webber.

Mark Webber feels privileged that several rival teams have elected to follow a similar path to Red Bull in terms of car design this year. The Australian was first to drive the brand-new RB6 at Jerez on Wednesday although rain has compromised the Milton Keynes team's first day of testing.

First glimpse of the new Lotus car, Kimi Raikkonen and Jacques Villeneuve linked to comebacks, plus other rumours.

The Virgin Racing team fired up its engine approximately ten minutes before Timo Glock gave the VR-01 its official track debut at Jerez on Wednesday. In doing so, the German ensured that the squad originally known as Manor GP is the first new team to run its 2010 car in a pre-season test session.

Nico Rosberg tops the timesheets midway through the first day of testing at Jerez, as rain hits the Spanish track.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg is quickest on the first morning of the pre-season Formula 1 test in Jerez before rain intervenes.

Organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix are offering fans a cheaper alternative than paying for standard grandstand seating by tendering the Premier Walkabout ticket; the new scheme will allow fans to access various areas of the Marina Bay track for less than a third of the cost of standard entrances.

The launching of Red Bull Racing's RB6 car in Jerez on Wednesday brought with it a number of sponsorship updates, with FXDD becoming a partner of the Milton Keynes team for the first time while Casio renews its sponsorship contract. Pepe Jeans is the latest new brand to be associated with the 2009 runners-up.

Red Bull Racing has announced that Japanese electronics company Casio has refreshed its sponsorship deal with the team ahead of the upcoming season. The Tokyo-based multinational will be using the team as a means of promoting its newest line of men's wrist watches, Edifice.

The Red Bull team has confirmed that it has started a new sponsorship deal with FXDD, with the company's logos having been seen on the new RB6 car as it was unveiled in Jerez on Wednesday morning.

Sebastian Vettel has said that being tipped as a general favourite for this year's Drivers' title will not influence his approach to the season. The German was the closest challenger to Champion Jenson Button last year as he now prepares to drive the Red Bull RB6 for the first time on Friday.

Christian Horner believes that no less than four teams are in-line to challenge for race wins and therefore the championship this season. The Englishman spoke to reporters following the launch of Red Bull's brand-new RB6 in Jerez on Wednesday morning.

The forthcoming season will bring new challenges for the Renault team working in Viry-Chatillon. Renault Sports Technical Coordinatator for Red Bull Racing, Fabrice Lom explains why.

The car is very much an evolution of the 2009 car - there is a big family likeness. We tried to refine and evolve it rather than go to new concepts.

Red Bull, runners-up in the 2009 world championship, has unveiled its 2010 contender at Jerez de la Frontera.

After releasing photos of it brand-new RB6 via the team website on Wednesday morning, Red Bull Racing saw its 2010 car revealed as drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber removed the covers in the Jerez pit lane.

Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber unveil their new Red Bull car at the start of the second pre-season Formula 1 test.

Red Bull Racing has taken the covers off its 2010 contender, the RB6. Revealed by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber on Wednesday morning, the Renault-powered car will be driven first by the Australian as the second of four official pre-season test sessions begins in Spain.

Red Bull Racing has published photos of its 2010 contender, the RB6. Set to be revealed by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in Jerez on Wednesday morning, the Renault-powered car will then be driven first by the Australian as the second of four official pre-season test sessions begins in Spain.

The first Lotus Formula 1 car for 14 years was on a race track on Tuesday as Fairuz Fauzy debuted the yet-to-be-named contender on the Stowe circuit at Silverstone. The legendary label returns to the sport this year as Tony Fernandes' Norfolk-based 1Malaysia outfit runs the project.

The Circuito Permanente de Jerez is the venue as Formula 1 pre-season testing restarts in Jerez on Wednesday morning. Following three days of running in Valencia last week, the southwestern Spanish track will be hosting four days of on-track action as Red Bull, Force India and Virgin Racing are welcomed for the first time in 2010.

Wednesday morning will see Red Bull Racing officially unveil the car with which it hopes to challenge for the world title once again. The covers will be taken off the Renault-powered RB6 by drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber before the Australian debuts the contender on-track at Jerez.

Ahead of its launch in London on Friday, the Lotus F1 team has shaken down its car at Silverstone.