Bourdais and Junqueira Back to Testing

The test was due to run for two days, but was cut short by off-track excursions for both drivers and inclement weather. Bourdais, who has had an eventful off-season, was pleased to sit in his new regular car: "I have raced in a buggy in the desert [the Baja 1000 race], competed in the Race of Champions in France, raced a sports car [Daytona 24 Hours] and stock car in Daytona [IROC], but I have been looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the McDonald's Champ Car for a long time.

"The test was mostly to clear the dust off of everything including myself and the team and we accomplished that. I'm looking forward to the test in Sebring later this month."

Junqueira, who has placed second in the last three championships and is looking to go one better this year, noted: "We found a couple of things that made the car quicker on the course, and were able to set a time that was close to one we set the previous year in similar conditions. I think we made some progress, but we won't know for sure how we stack up against everyone else until we get to Long Beach."

The pair will test next at Sebring on March 23-24, ahead of the season-opening race at Long Beach on April 10.