Junqueira quickest at Sebring

Junqueira injured his back in a crash in May's Indy 500 and has delayed his return until now on medical advice, after fears he might suffer more permanent damage to himself if he were to have an accident again.

The Brazilian set a best time of 51.1 seconds after 77 laps on the 1.65-mile South Florida circuit and he admitted that his pace-setting speed was a surprise to him.

"It was a very special day," Junqueira told his official website. "To come back to the cockpit of my Champ Car was the only thing that I hadn't done after my accident, and as soon I felt comfortable, I realised this is the place that I belong.

"The results of today have been beyond my expectations. An unwise person wouldn't have waited to get back in the car, but also I had never doubted that would come back eventually. I felt excellent physically, and therefore I could do more running than planned.

"We will still carry out some longer runs tomorrow, and hopefully my body will hold up."

Six other drivers also took to the track, with PKV Racing running evaluations of Ryan Briscoe and Ryan Dalziel, Rocketsports Racing running Formula Nippon champion Richard Lyons and the Mi-Jack Conquest Racing testing Megane Trophy winner Jan Heylen, World Series racer Alx Danielsson and British F3 race-winner Dan Clarke.

The PKV Racing duo of Briscoe and Dalziel finished behind Junqueira, with team owner Jimmy Vasser watching the pair as the team decide their driver line-up for 2006.

Vasser has yet to make an announcement on whether he is going to retire, and it is thought that it depends on the pace on any possible replacements. The team will also test Giorgio Pantano and Katherine Legge.

"It was a really good day and I know a few drivers are trying for a seat at PKV," Briscoe said. "I know I'm getting a fair shot and I think things are looking good."

Monday's times:

Pos Driver     Time
1. Junqueira  51.1
2. Briscoe    51.5
3. Dalziel    51.8
4. Heylen     52.1
5. Lyons      52.3
6. Danielsson 52.9
7. Clarke     53.8