Spanish GP McLaren Friday notes

West McLaren Mercedes driver David Coulthard finished today's Free Practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix quickest by setting a time of 1:20.107. He completed 37 laps. Teammate Mika Hakkinen was sixth with his time of 1:20.894 and did 26 laps. Today's Free Practice saw the re-introduction to Formula One of electronic driver aids.

David Coulthard:
'The car was running reliably with the new systems throughout the session and we went through a lot of work. We have to spend more time looking at the data to optimise everything and as always its Saturday's qualifying which counts.'

Mika Hakkinen
'We went through a good programme today. The new electronic aids give you a lot of opportunities and present the engineers and drivers with a different challenge. We will look at the data overnight and make some further improvements.'

Ron Dennis:
'Whilst the introduction of electronic freedom on the engines and gearbox has given the engineers and drivers another technical parameter, the performance gain is small but critical. Everybody within the team has worked hard to be well prepared for these rule changes but most of David's excellent performance today has come from further optimisation of the car and engine and his own efforts. Mika's second practice session was seriously hampered with a mechanical problem on the gearbox, which of course will be solved for tomorrow.'

Norbert Haus:
'A very productive first day of practice. We have found a good basis for the race set up. We were quick, but there is still potential for improvement tomorrow.'