Hakkinen quickest at wet Vallelunga

The Finn Mercedes driver, who was making his debut at the Italian track, posted the fastest time of the day in the morning session, while Mattias Ekstrom in the Audi was quickest in the afternoon, but his time was only good enough for fourth.

The session took place in the wet, and the conditions were worse in the afternoon, with several drivers causing red flags on the extremely wet track.

"This has been the first time for me to drive at Vallelunga and I really looked forward to going out on this circuit," said Hakkinen. "Dry conditions are always better to learn a track, but unfortunately it started raining already in the morning.

"It's fun to drive the new car, with its handling being just great - not only in dry conditions but also in the wet. Altogether, it was a very good and productive day and it's a nice start into the season to have been quickest on the first day of the official tests."

Susie Stoddart, who was recently confirmed at Mercedes for the 2006 season, had a promising debut with the eighth fastest time after 68 laps.

Mathias Lauda, hampered by technical problems in the morning, also made his debut in an official test and finished 11th, ahead of Vanina Ickx, slowest in the Audi.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver      Car                    Time     Laps
 1.  Hakkinen    AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse  1:41.880  95
 2.  Spengler    AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse  1:42.659  65
 3.  Kristensen  Audi A4 DTM            1:42.687  20
 4.  Ekstrom     Audi A4 DTM            1:42.866  31
 5.  Abt         Audi A4 DTM            1:43.261  29
 6.  Mucke       AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse  1:43.557  63
 7.  Alesi       AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse  1:43.919  29
 8.  Stoddart    AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse  1:44.493  68
 9.  Tomczyk     Audi A4 DTM            1:45.170  72
10.  Stippler    Audi A4 DTM            1:45.515  38
11.  Lauda       AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse  1:46.407  34
12.  Ickx        Audi A4 DTM            1:46.657  56

All Timing Unofficial