Jordan EJ14 hits the track

The Northamtonshire-based team's new driver, Nick Heidfeld, drove the car for 37 laps, although the test was hampered by damp track conditions and no times were given. The car appears similar in appearance to the EJ13, albeit with a markedly curved profile to the upper half of its rear wing endplate.

"It's good to be here with the team, I feel at home already and the first test of a new car is always something special," said Heidfeld. "The car looks good and I've done quite a few laps with no technical problems. Unfortunately it rained overnight so the track was wet all day and while usually I like driving in the wet, I'm looking forward to driving the new car in dry conditions."

James Robinson, head of race and test engineering said: "In 20 years in the motor racing business, this is the first time I've seen a car go together so quickly and that's a credit to all the technical departments and the teamwork that has gone into building this car. Technically speaking it was a problem-free shakedown, which is an excellent start. We're really looking forward to learning more about the EJ14 at the test session later this week."

Somewhat surprisingly, the car featured backing from Dutch computer company Trust, which supported Jos Verstappen and the Minardi team last year. The logos are now understood to have been taken off for the rest of the test.

As well as Benson & Hedges backing, the car bore allegiance to Lazarus on its sidepod. It also carried the '04-04-04' slogan that is being used to promote the Bahrain International Circuit.

Jordan was previously backed by the new grand prix venue at Shanghai.