Dutchman Max Verstappen, 17, completed the most laps on a day
interrupted by a collision between Susie Wolff's Williams and the
Sauber driven by Brazilian rookie Felipe Nasr.
Maldonado, whose only career grand prix win came at the Circuit de
Catalunya with Williams in 2012, completed 69 laps with a best time
of one minute 25.011 seconds.
Kimi Raikkonen was second fastest for Ferrari with Australian Daniel
Ricciardo third in a Red Bull.
Champions Mercedes, who have completed far more laps than rivals in
five days of pre-season testing in Jerez and Barcelona, had a mixed
day after a high fever ruled out Hamilton following 11 laps in the
morning.
German reserve Pascal Wehrlein, who was testing Force India's 2014
car, was recalled to replace the champion despite the Briton's team
mate Nico Rosberg being at the circuit.
Rosberg also complained of a sore nerve in his neck and his presence
in the car on Friday remained uncertain.
Verstappen, who will be Formula One's youngest ever driver when he
makes his debut with Toro Rosso in Australia on March 15, completed
a hefty 94 laps -- the most he has done in a single day.
Wolff, Williams test driver and wife of Mercedes motorsport head
Toto, completed 86 laps but her display was interrupted by the
collision.
Nasr, who was Williams test driver last year, suggested his former
team mate was to blame.
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"I think Susie did not see me coming and then we unfortunately
collided in turn five," he said. "We had quite a lot of damage to
fix which hurt our program."
Wolff saw things differently. "I think it's on video for everyone to
see but the facts are that I stayed on line and he came across and
his rear hit my front. It was an unnecessary coming together," she
said.
McLaren called an end to their day before lunch when a problem with
the energy recovery system on Jenson Button's car required lengthy
work on the power unit.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Tony Jimenez)
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