Kimi back on track in Spain

Location: Circuito de Jerez, SpainDrivers: Kimi Raikkonen and Pedro de la Rosa Weather: Sunny with some cloudTrack temperature: High of 22.9 degrees CelsiusAir temperature: High of 19.4 degrees CelsiusLaps run: 165Kilometres covered: Kimi Raikkonen approx. 180km / Pedro de la Rosa approx. 540kmBest lap time of the day: Pedro de la Rosa, 1m17.454Duration of test: Four days (7th – 11th February 2006)

Kimi Raikkonen returned to the test track yesterday in the Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-21. Kimi completed 41 laps of the Jerez circuit, covering over 180km and putting in a  time of 1m18.933.

Kimi did not leave the garage during the afternoon session as his MP4-21 had a minor problem with the gearbox and an engine oil leak which necessitated both components to be removed in order to complete repairs. This work took the majority of the afternoon and Kimi will return to the track tomorrow morning to continue his programme.

Pedro de la Rosa set the fastest time of the day at the Spanish track, with a 1m17.454, which he set on the way to covering over 540km in the interim MP4-20. Pedro's work continued to focus on Michelin tyre testing.

Kimi will be at the wheel of the MP4-21 for the morning of today's session, with Pedro taking over driving duties of the new car in the afternoon. Gary Paffett will join the test to drive in the MP4-20.

Thursday testing times

1. P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-20 V10 - 1'17"451 - 123 laps2. G. Fisichella - Renault R26 - 1'17"479 (+0"028) - 76 laps3. M. Webber - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'17"767 (+0"316) - 104 laps4. J. Button - Honda RA106 - 1'17"990 (+0"539) - 118 laps5. J. Villeneuve - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1'18"179 (+0"728) - 75 laps6. N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1'18"278 (+0"827) - 63 laps7. H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1'18"542 (+1"091) - 45 laps8. N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'18"843 (+1"392) - 60 laps9. K. Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1'18"929 (+1"478) - 40 laps10. J. Trulli - Toyota TF106 - 1'19"083 (+1"632) - 103 laps11. R. Schumacher - Toyota TF106 - 1'19"320 (+1"869) - 107 laps12. V. Liuzzi - Toro Rosso Cosworth STR01 - 1'19"394 (+1"943) - 79 laps13. C. Albers – MF1 Toyota M16 - 1'20"685 (+3"234) - 90 laps14. T. Monteiro – MF1 Toyota M16 - 1'20"922 (+3"471) - 63 laps

Click here for the Official Kimi Raikkonen web site - designed and built by Racecar

Click here for the Official Giancarlo Fisichella web site - designed and built by Racecar