Montoya is pleased with progress so far

The Colombian, who has replaced Jenson Button at the Grove-based outfit, completed a series of short lap runs to get himself acclimatised to current Grand Prix machinery.

"This morning has gone much better than expected," he told Autosport.com. "I picked the race lines very easily and at the end of the morning I pushed a little bit. There are still a few things for me to improve in the car, but it looks very promising."

Montoya is running a 2000-spec Williams, with team-mate Ralf Schumacher concentrating on tyre development and the team's third driver Marc Gene focusing on engine work.

"I think it will just be a matter of time before I am on the pace, and I can't expect to go out in the first race and win," added Montoya. "I will just do the best job I can and, from what I have seen today, I am quite comfortable with the car - although in the fast corners it is a bit twitchy. That's alright for one quick lap, but it is not much good for a race distance."

The Colombian thinks he is a much better driver now than when he last drove Formula 1 machinery at the end of 1998.

"I am a bit smarter after two years in ChampCars," he claimed. "I've learned that you have got to work with the car first, before you can really push. I am under no pressure to do a better job than Jenson, because I am here for myself. But this is just the first step. I've done about 30 laps in the car and there is a long road ahead."

To see Jerez test photographs in Autosport.com's race gallery click HERE.