Hydraulic leak curtails McLaren's running on day three

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McLaren was forced to end its running after 51 laps on day three of pre-season testing due to a hydraulic leak.

Jenson Button was at the wheel of the MP4-31 on Wednesday and had enjoyed a largely productive morning following Fernando Alonso's 119 laps on Tuesday. However, the 2009 world champion then stopped at the end of the pit lane early in the afternoon, causing the pit lane to be closed while running continued on track.

Racing director Eric Boullier confirmed a hydraulic leak was the cause, and while he downplayed the severity of the stoppage at the time, McLaren was unable to run again and ended its day early.

Alonso will be back in the car on Thursday for the final day of the first test in Barcelona, though there is a threat of rain for the morning session.

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