Ricard 1: DC sets pace
David Coulthard set the pace on the first day of testing at Paul Ricard as the teams used the venue's short 4.115km 2E track layout - one of several available for testing purposes
Both McLaren's race drivers were on hand and Kimi Raikkonen's 1m08.075s lap was two tenths slower than Coulthard.
Only McLaren and Toyota ran at the French circuit today and both the silver cars were over half a second quicker than Toyota's Cristiano da Matta who managed a mammoth 144 laps. Ryan Briscoe brought up the rear with a 1m08.967s time.
McLaren is concentrating on improving the MP4-19's aerodynamic package. The team is reported to have experimented with rear wing fences similar to those used by Williams and BAR although they are said to be smaller and not as prominent.
Rubens Barrichello spent the day working on Bridgestone tyre development as Ferrari went testing at Fiorano. The Brazilian managed a best time of 1m01.610s.
David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes M 1m07.833s 97
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes M 1m08.075s 61
Cristiano da Matta Toyota M 1m08.687s 144
Ryan Briscoe Toyota M 1m08.967s 102
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