De la Rosa Unsure McLaren can Win

Although de la Rosa was comfortably quickest, with Raikkonen third fastest overall, the Spaniard believes that McLaren's chances of success at Imola may be hampered by the MP4-20's lack of pace in single-lap qualifying trim.

"I think we are looking for a podium finish here, I am not sure about winning," said de la Rosa. "It is so important, qualifying, here. I think qualifying will be 70 percent of the outcome of the race because it is very difficult to overtake here and we have to work quite hard in improving our qualifying performance.

"We will see tomorrow. So far it has worked quite well. I think there are still a few tenths in the car, we have to work a little bit on the suspension especially over the kerbs but so far it is quite good."

Speaking about his return to work as a Friday tester, following his run to fifth place in Bahrain, de la Rosa claimed there was no disappointment in losing out to Alexander Wurz in getting the second race seat for Imola.

"I have already done the digestion about all of that and at the end of the day it is over," he said. "The team never told me I would do two races, they said that I would do one and after that they would devise the situation.

"I had my opportunity in Bahrain, it was a good race, I enjoyed it, and all I can say is thanks to the team and thanks for the opportunity. I don't know why, it is not my business really, but I know that from the team's point of view Alex has been here longer than me."