Hamilton encouraged by first '09 test

The Briton took over the MP4-24 from test driver Pedro de la Rosa at Portimao today and completed 81 laps in the new car. He stopped on track briefly when the engine shut down during the morning.

"It was good to be back working with the team - it felt like I'd hardly been away because it was easy to slip back into the routine," Hamilton told reporters.

"It's amazing to think that, while I've been to Woking throughout the winter, I haven't properly driven a Formula One car since the Brazilian Grand Prix two months ago, but everything very quickly felt normal today."

He was third fastest today, but played down the significance of the times.

"This first test was all about just getting used to the new car and the new regulations and about giving my feedback to the engineers; it wasn't about setting a fast time," said Hamilton.

"I'm pleased to report that the car feels good, we've made lots of progress over the winter and I'm looking forward to developing the car ahead of the Australian Grand Prix."

The champion added that he was expecting an extremely intense testing programme over the next few weeks.

"It's going to be an extremely busy winter," he said. "I've only been in the car for one day and our usual job list for the weeks ahead is already enormous.

"With the limitations on testing during the season, and the few sessions we have over the next two months, this is going to be an intense time and absolutely critical for every team."

Hamilton will hand the car over to his teammate Heikki Kovalainen for the final day of the test tomorrow.