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Massa fastest on first day of Monza test

Felipe Massa kicked off this week's major Formula One test at a partly resurfaced Monza in Italy in fine style with the quickest time on the opening day on Tuesday

Although there was minor confusion between the teams about the lap times of several drivers as the test kicked off - probably as a result of the location on the start-finish straight of their timing beams - everyone's data pointed towards Massa being the quickest.

Returning to the cockpit for the first time since his victory in Turkey last weekend, Massa dominated proceedings on Ferrari's home turf. Along with test driver Luca Badoer, the team's programme was focused on low downforce set-up and tyres, with some aero configuration work.

The best times of the day came in the afternoon once the newly resurfaced part of the track, from the second Lesmo until after the Ascari Chicane, had rubbered in a bit.

Ferrari's title rivals Renault were led by Giancarlo Fisichella, who was second, third or fourth quickest - depending on whose timing screens you looked at.

Beginning Renault's intensive week of work with Michelin, as well as evaluating car developments introduced to try and overcome the loss of mass dampers, Fisichella could not quite match the pace of Massa.

Renault also suffered two mechanical failures - one each for Fisichella and test driver Heikki Kovalainen.

Mark Webber enjoyed a strong showing for Williams, evaluating Monza specification tyres, despite having a nervous moment when he suffered brake failure at one point. 

The Australian's future replacement Alexander Wurz was further down the order, having spent the day focusing on tyre construction work for the races after Monza.

Honda were led by Anthony Davidson, who worked on general suspension and tyre work. James Rossiter focused on set-up and aero work for Monza.

Seventh fastest Jarno Trulli was working on Monza tyre work, while right behind him Sebastian Vettel continued to impress his BMW bosses as he joined teammate Nick Heidfeld in working on low downforce settings in the morning and tyres in the afternoon.

The most disappointed man of the day was Sakon Yamamoto, whose Super Aguri car only made it out of the pits late in the afternoon.

On his first lap, the Japanese driver suffered a slow puncture, which is believed to have been caused by a loose screw finding its way between the wheel and tyre. He will be given another morning of running tomorrow.

Wednesday will also mark the debut of Honda's 2007 engine, which the Japanese manufacturer are aiming to race this year to take advantage of the end of season engine freeze.

Rubens Barrichello has been given the honour of trying it out for the first time and extra engineers have been drafted in by Honda for what will be viewed as a vital test for the team.

Today's times *:

Pos  Driver      Team                       Time       Laps
 1.  Massa       Ferrari              (B)   1:22.376    73
 2.  Badoer      Ferrari              (B)   1:22.535    81
 3.  Webber      Williams-Cosworth    (B)   1:22.743    90
 4.  Fisichella  Renault              (M)   1:22.904    88
 5.  Davidson    Honda                (M)   1:23.187    97
 6.  Kovalainen  Renault              (M)   1:23.232    98
 7.  Trulli      Toyota               (B)   1:23.426    73
 8.  Vettel      BMW-Sauber           (M)   1:23.770    92
 9.  Rossiter    Honda                (M)   1:23.909   110
10.  Panis       Toyota               (B)   1:24.038    68
11.  Wurz        Williams-Cosworth    (B)   1:24.057    87
12.  Heidfeld    BMW-Sauber           (M)   1:24.087    73
13.  Jani        Toro Rosso-Cosworth  (M)   1:24.322    92
14.  Mondini     MF1-Toyota           (B)   1:25.525    70

* The test session was run without central timing system and each team recorded the times with their own equipment. As a result, times may vary. The above times are courtesy the Williams team.

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