Raikkonen 'happy' with MP4-19

World Championship runner-up Kimi Raikkonen had his first run in the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-19 during today's [Friday] test session at Jerez in Spain and declared himself happy with the new car

The Finn, who last year mounted a championship campaign which faltered at the last round while driving the MP4-17D - a development of the 2002 car, joined team-mate David Coulthard at the test and managed 32 laps as he re-acclimatised after the winter break.

"It's nice to be back," said Raikkonen. "We had some problems with the car today so I was only able to do two or three good runs. My first impression of the car is that it's not a big difference to the car we never raced [MP4-18]. So far I have a very good feeling for it. Compared to the MP4-18 it feels as if we have developed it further.

"I don't really know what the exact differences are, but I know it's better! I hope it's going to be a good and fast car. I can already feel that it has a lot of power. I will we be able to tell more when we get new aero parts for the next test."