Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has said that he is encouraged by his new Mercedes, after two days of testing in Jerez.

The car has shown excellent reliability so far, which many experts believe is an ominous sign ahead of the start of the new season next month.

Hamilton told Sky Sports News: "It was good. It's great to see in the first two days we've had such good running and such good reliability. That's a really good step for the first two days and we're going to continue to work on that. Naturally that's the foundation we want to improve on. The car feels good."

Mercedes are yet to top the time sheets during the test, but the current world champion isn't concerned, as lap times are notoriously meaningless at such an early stage.

He added: "Today we were just driving around and weren't trying to do fast laps or anything. I'm sure [how fast it is] perhaps will become more evident when we put the car on the limit.

"Through testing everyone is using different fuel loads so it's really irrelevant what position you are. What's important is reliability and to prove out the car."

Hamilton was fourth quickest on day two, behind Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel.