Silv 1: Alonso in the rain

The visually transformed machine that is hoped will turn around the team's fortunes was taken out of its box promptly this morning (Tuesday) featuring a heavily updated chassis with sidepods and rear winglets similar in style to the Renault and with a more tapered rear end than its predecessor.

While the rain hampered the McLaren programme, Raikkonen completed 45 laps of the circuit and despite its early days, was impressed with the car's handling.

"We only managed to do a few laps in the morning because of the weather but we were able to do more in the afternoon," he said. "My first impression is that it feels good, but it takes time to develop a new car so we still have two very busy days ahead, but the car seems to feel and behave really well so far."

It was believed the team would give the car its race debut at the German GP at the end of July, but McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh hinted today that the date could be brought forward to the French GP on July 4 if their testing schedule goes to plan.

"We did what we could today considering the weather. Hopefully the weather will improve so we can go through a planned testing programme," he said. "The car appears to be a step in the right direction but it's too early to say anymore.

"No decision has been made on its race debut as it all depends on the car's progress."

The car is set to carry out a day's straight-line testing at Avon Park in Yorkshire followed by another four-day test after the US Grand Prix. A decision on its race introduction will be made during this time.

With rain hitting the circuit the released times do not give an accurate picture for the first four drivers - Alonso, Raikkonen, Jarno Trulli and Antonio Pizzonia - set their times on dry tyres when the rain briefly stopped in the afternoon. The other five drivers set their times on wet tyres.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was the rain meister in the morning consistently hitting the 1m30s bracket while the other drivers tried but failed to match him. By 2.30pm though the German decided to call it a day and was therefore unable to set a time in the dry.

BAR-Honda's Takuma Sato only completed 15 laps after he suffered problems with his gearbox. The unit was taken back to the factory while he waited for a new one and was unable to get back onto the track until 4pm.

Meanwhile, Ferrari's Luca Badoer set the pace at Monza with six teams in action as they prepare for the Canadian GP. BAR-Honda's Anthony Davidson was powered by an all-new Honda engine which is expected to make its debut in Montreal.


Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m22.082s 58
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes M 1m22.126s 45
Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m23.391s 28
Antonio Pizzonia Williams-BMW M 1m23.687s 49
Marc Gene Williams-BMW-Williams M 1m25.736s 81
Christian Klien Jaguar M 1m26.129s 58
Cristiano da Matta Toyota M 1m26.222s 50
Michael Schumacher Ferrari B 1m26.423s 30
Takuma Sato BAR-Honda M 1m30.196s 15