Alonso fastest first day at Imola

Six drivers from three teams kicked off the week's test session at Imola on February 17th and Renault's Fernando Alonso set the best time of the day. It was a Renault one-two, Alonso's teammate Jarno Trulli in second quickest, the team 1.5 seconds ahead of the third placed Sauber of Felipe Massa.

Fernando Alonso.

Photo by LAT Photographic.

Both drove an R24 chassis: Alonso's best was 1:20.480 and Trulli just a couple of tenths behind. The pair worked on set up, suspension and tyres and Trulli ran the engine intended for Melbourne with no problems.

Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella were the next race-driver duo on track, the two new Sauber C23s third and fourth respectively. Massa tested brakes and aerodynamics and Fisichella damper settings and tyres.

Jordan was the third team present, also fielding both race drivers in two new cars. Nick Heidfeld was fifth on the time sheet and new signing Giorgio Pantano rounded off the times shaking down the second EJ14 chassis.

At Mugello, Ferrari started its test week with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel of the F2004 for further development work. He set a best of 1:19.864 over 66 laps and continues at the track tomorrow. Team tester Luca Badoer will join the Imola session in the F2003-GA.

At Valencia McLaren was in action with David Coulthard ahead of Kimi Raikkonen at the end of the day. Toyota, BAR, Sauber and Williams are expected to join the test tomorrow.