McLaren complete first test with MP4-23

Test driver Pedro de la Rosa was the man in charge of putting the car through its paces early in the morning, before Heikki Kovalainen made his debut with a second MP4-23 chassis in the afternoon.

At the end of the day Kovalainen was upbeat about the car's early form.

"It was really great to get on track today with the MP4-23," said Kovalainen, joining the team this year.

"It was my first session as a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver. I always really enjoy the first day a new car runs, there is always a very unique atmosphere, you know a little bit tense, a little bit excited.

"The first impressions of the new car are good. We have a comprehensive development schedule to work through over the next couple of months. The car's performance today is definitely an encouraging starting point.

"Today was also my first real opportunity to meet the test team, which was good because we will be spending a lot of time together over the next few weeks."

Kovalainen completed a total distance of 128km with a best time of 1:20.559.

De la Rosa covered 177km and posted a fastest laps of 1:19.655 near the end of the test. The Spaniard was also pleased with his day's work and with the new car's initial performance.

"We covered 69 laps in total today between Heikki and me, which is a good start," de la Rosa said. "The car felt positive and it has been an encouraging day. This is the second time I have had the opportunity to make the track debut with our new car, it is also the eighth car I have driven for the team.

"It is great for me to be in the car from the very beginning, as I am able to instantly build up an understanding of the car and how it works, and then start to put this knowledge into the testing programme. This time of the season, from when a new car is launched until the first race, is probably the busiest time of the year for the test team.

"We have 18 track days scheduled, including today, before the MP4-23s leave for Australia and a lot of work to complete in that time, but the motivation is huge with all the guys here."

Briton Lewis Hamilton will make his debut at the wheel of the new car tomorrow, when he will join Kovalainen.