Montagny back on top at Jerez

However, it was former World Champion Michael Schumacher who again shone during the session, posting the quickest time in a V8-engined car.

The German finished around three tenths of a second behind Renault test driver Montagny, the busiest man today with 114 laps completed.

Schumacher was the only Ferrari driver on track today, the German working in the morning with the V10-powered car, switching to the hybrid F2004 with the V8 engine unit in the afternoon. He covered 75 laps with the V10 and 38 with the V8, with which he posted his best lap.

"I am happy to be back driving again and I am very pleased with these two days of testing at Jerez, which went off without any particular problems," said Schumacher. "It shows the team has worked well over the past few weeks, as has Bridgestone on the tyre front. I can't wait to be back on track when testing resumes."

World Champion Fernando Alonso was back in action with the Renault team following the end of the season in China, the Spaniard completing his first and only day of work until he tests with the new R26 car in January.

Alonso worked on familiarising with the power levels of a V8 engine, although he drove the R25 with the V10 engine, which simulated eight cylinders. The Spaniard, however, was not too happy to be back in action.

"I didn't feel like coming back at all because I was on vacation and my hope was to test in January," he said.

Alonso said driving the car was not easier now, despite the reduced power levels.

"It's a big change but it's still the same to drive on the limit. When you are driving on the limit it's still fun to drive and this is still a Formula One car, the fastest car you can drive on a track.

"I felt very comfortable and the times were good. I don't think there are any changes," he added.

Indian Narain Karthikeyan completed his final day of testing with the Williams team, working alongside the British squad's German driver Nico Rosberg.

The former Jordan driver, however, endured a troubled day, causing two of the three red flags seen during the day, the first one due to an engine problem which required the unit to be changed.

Rosberg was also hit by problems, losing some time in the garage while his mechanics fixed an oil leak.

Britons Anthony Davidson and Jenson Button were the only other two drives on track, finishing fifth and sixth quickest respectively with their Honda-powered machines.

The Jerez programme will end tomorrow with a wet testing session.

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team                Tyres  Time     Laps
 1.  Montagny      Renault              (M)  1:18.322  114  *
 2.  M.Schumacher  Ferrari              (B)  1:18.582  113
 3.  Alonso        Renault              (M)  1:18.739   97  *
 4.  Rosberg       Williams-Cosworth    (B)  1:18.894   68
 5.  Davidson      Honda                (M)  1:18.953   81
 6.  Button        Honda                (M)  1:19.651   87
 7.  Karthikeyan   Williams-Cosworth    (B)  1:20.871   34

All Timing Unofficial