Raikkonen crashed new McLaren in Spain

DC admitted it was 'fantastic' to finally get behind the wheel of his new charger, but was reluctant to jump to any conclusions. "It was fantastic to be driving it. The car felt good and the team completed a positive programme," he said.

Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen said: "I really enjoyed my first test. The car feels good and every time I went out it got better and better." But then the attacking Finn ran off the track in the fast final corner of the Circuit de Catalunya.

The team has not issued any details but Raikkonen's PR manager Kikka Kuosmanen said: "There was a kind of incident and he went off. He had a small knee injury, the skin was a bit bruised, but nothing else.

"I think it was the last corner and that is quite fast. The car was damaged but I don't know how much. I spoke to him today and he is alright, there are no serious problems."

No times were issued by the team, and the car is still expected to make its competition debut in Germany, at the Nurburgring, later this month.