No celebrations yet, says Kimi

The Finn completed just five laps during the first session with a time that just made it into the top 10. But in the second session Raikkonen showed McLaren's colours by topping the timesheets in the new MP4-19B.

It is not the first time Raikkonen has driven the team's new car at Silverstone having given it its track debut at the British track at the beginning of June. He knew back then that the car would be competitive and hopes that its pace will improve further on Saturday.

"We completed our planned programme today and experienced no problems," he said. "I had a positive test here at Silverstone with the 19B a few weeks ago, so I was quite confident that the car would be good. Hopefully we can continue to improve it during tomorrow's practice. We were quickest today, but there is nothing to celebrate yet -- Saturday and Sunday are the important ones."

Team-mate David Coulthard consolidated the McLaren effort by setting the fourth quickest time in second practice. Like Raikkonen, the Scot will keep his feet on the ground but hopes the improved machine will give them a podium on Sunday.

"An encouraging start to my home grand prix, but its early days and whilst it's looking good, tomorrow is another day," he said. "We have learnt a lot and will see what the next couple of days bring. MP4-19B is an improvement, and I feel that it should be possible to get on the podium, so that has to be the goal."