Paul Ricard, day 2: Kimi leads the way
On the day that Alexander Wurz christened the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-18, Kimi Raikkonen showed that the old MP4-17D can still come up with the goods by setting the fastest time in testing at Paul Ricard in France today (Wednesday)
Raikkonen and team-mate David Coulthard used the 'old' McLaren to test tyre compounds for the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix. Both ran into technical problems during the day, with Coulthard, who was third quickest today, grinding to a halt as he attempted to coast into the pits. Raikkonen also stopped just before lunch.
Juan Pablo Montoya was second fastest in his Williams-BMW, two-tenths off Raikkonen but a tenth up on DC. The Colombian was also focusing on tyres, while Williams test driver Marc Gene, who was fourth quickest, embarked on some long runs. The Spaniard caused a red flag this afternoon when his car broke down.
Olivier Panis was fifth fastest for Toyota, ahead of Renault test driver Allan McNish. The Scot spun his 2003-spec car this morning as he worked on a new high downforce aero package ahead of Monaco.
Wurz propped up the timesheet in the new McLaren, but that was hardly surprising given that today was its first run. He completed 17 laps and was hampered by a hydraulic problem.
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes M 1m11.255s 84
Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m11.453s 90
David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes M 1m11.527s 91
Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m12.033s 106
Olivier Panis Toyota B 1m12.858s 88
Allan McNish Renault M 1m13.062s 95
Alexander Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m16.118s 17*
B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* - denotes McLaren MP4-18, others in MP4-17D
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