Kovalainen goes quickest at Ricard
Renault's Heikki Kovalainen set the fastest lap in testing at the Paul Ricard circuit, where five teams kicked off their preparations for the start of the European season
The Finn driver worked at the wheel of two different R26 chassis, setting his quickest time in the morning before going on to complete a total of 137 laps around the 3E layout of the French circuit.
Most teams focused on tyre testing for the San Marino Grand Prix, which will take place in three weeks time.
Kovalainen, the only driver who lapped in less than 65 seconds, finished ahead of Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa in the McLaren MP4-21.
De la Rosa worked alongside teammate Gary Paffett, who was at the wheel of the hybrid MP4-20, fitted with a V10 engine and sporting the orange livery. Paffett was fifth quickest.
The BMW team had two men on duty today, with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve being the only racing driver in action at Paul Ricard.
The Canadian and teammate Robert Kubica carried out tyre testing for the German squad, the Pole finishing as third fastest, four places ahead of Villeneuve.
Toyota's Ricardo Zonta was fourth fastest as the Japanese squad got back to work following their first podium of the season in Australia. Zonta worked on a tyre programme for Imola, while teammate Olivier Panis also carried out set-up work, doing long runs.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:04.927 137 2. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:05.028 104 3. Kubica BMW-Sauber (M) 1:05.075 150 4. Zonta Toyota (B) 1:05.291 142 5. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:05.534 84 6. Panis Toyota (B) 1:05.754 109 7. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:05.812 93 8. Doornbos Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:06.420 58 All Timing Unofficial
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