Kovalainen goes quickest at Ricard

The Finn driver worked at the wheel of two different R26 chassis, setting his quickest time in the morning before going on to complete a total of 137 laps around the 3E layout of the French circuit.

Most teams focused on tyre testing for the San Marino Grand Prix, which will take place in three weeks time.

Kovalainen, the only driver who lapped in less than 65 seconds, finished ahead of Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa in the McLaren MP4-21.

De la Rosa worked alongside teammate Gary Paffett, who was at the wheel of the hybrid MP4-20, fitted with a V10 engine and sporting the orange livery. Paffett was fifth quickest.

The BMW team had two men on duty today, with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve being the only racing driver in action at Paul Ricard.

The Canadian and teammate Robert Kubica carried out tyre testing for the German squad, the Pole finishing as third fastest, four places ahead of Villeneuve.

Toyota's Ricardo Zonta was fourth fastest as the Japanese squad got back to work following their first podium of the season in Australia. Zonta worked on a tyre programme for Imola, while teammate Olivier Panis also carried out set-up work, doing long runs.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team                      Time     Laps
 1.  Kovalainen    Renault              (M)  1:04.927  137
 2.  de la Rosa    McLaren-Mercedes     (M)  1:05.028  104
 3.  Kubica        BMW-Sauber           (M)  1:05.075  150
 4.  Zonta         Toyota               (B)  1:05.291  142
 5.  Paffett       McLaren-Mercedes     (M)  1:05.534   84
 6.  Panis         Toyota               (B)  1:05.754  109
 7.  Villeneuve    BMW-Sauber           (M)  1:05.812   93
 8.  Doornbos      Red Bull-Ferrari     (M)  1:06.420   58

All Timing Unofficial