Jerez 1: Wurz on top
Alex Wurz just shaded fellow McLaren-Mercedes test driver Pedro de la Rosa as the pair got their first laps behind the wheel of the team's new MP4-19B, which made its test debut at Silverstone prior to the Canadian Grand Prix, on the first day of a three-day test at Jerez
There were only three cars on the Spanish track today, the McLarens joined by Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta, so it's hardly surprising that the silver cars were at the top of the times. Both drivers reported themselves happy with progress despite a small cooling problem which was mainly due to the unusually hot conditions (36 degrees C).
De la Rosa was just over two hundredths of a second slower than his team-mate as he broke in the recently-built second MP4-19B chassis. "The car is much better," the Spaniard said afterwards. "It is much more stable. It was a very good test for the first day."
Wurz was more reluctant to give his opinions on the new car: "It's not bad for the first day. The seating position is much better for me than the MP4-19, but I can't say anymore than that."
Zonta completed 77 laps, just nine less than both McLaren drivers combined, as he worked on Toyota's 2005 suspension system.
BAR Honda will join the test tomorrow with drivers Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson as will BMW WilliamsF1 with Olivier Beretta (possibly in for the injured Ralf Schumacher), Marc Gene and Antonio Pizzonia. Ryan Briscoe and Cristiano da Matta will take part in Toyota's programme on Thursday, while McLaren will also recall race drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard for the final day.
Meanwhile, Ferrari's Luca Badoer kicked off testing at Barcelona. The Italian carried out tyre testing and car development for the reigning world champions but his running was hampered by engine problems. Badoer will be joined on Wednesday by Renault, Jaguar and Sauber.
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes* M 1m18.822s 48
Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes* M 1m18.843s 38
Ricardo Zonta Toyota M 1m20.197s 77
*Denotes MP4-19B
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