Renault's Heikki Kovalainen was the quickest of six drivers on duty at Jerez today.

The young Finn, confirmed last week as a 2007 race driver, was joined by RDD driver Jose Maria Lopez , concentrated on tyre testing. The work focused on the selection for the Chinese Grand Prix in two weeks' time. He enjoyed a trouble-free day, running 102 laps and finishing fastest with a lap of 1:17.236.

Lopez, driving for one day only, worked on set-up and also completed an important brake development programme. He finished the day third quickest, having completed 94 laps.

"We have enjoyed a good first day," said Chief Test Engineer, Christian Silk. "We were expecting dirty track conditions that was changing all the way through the day, but this didn't prove to be the case. Conditions were good immediately which allowed us to make good progress with our tyre testing. Heikki and Jose both put in a good day's work."

Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen will be at the wheel tomorrow.

Rubens Barrichello and Anthony Davidson began Honda's programme with set-up work to find a good balance on their respective cars as the circuit began to clean up throughout the morning session. Both drivers then spent the remainder of the morning working on aero evaluations, with the Brazilian also completing some electronic systems work.

Davidson spent the afternoon working through a tyre programme looking at the options for the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix. He finished off the session with a further short aero programme. Barrichello also concentrated on tyres this afternoon in addition to continuing his electronic systems work.

James Rossiter will take over from Anthony tomorrow.

Making his F1 debut, Michael Ammermuller was on duty for Red Bull, alongside Robert Doornbos, who replaces Christian Klien in the final three rounds of the World Championship.

In addition to completing 102 laps, Ammermuller was only 0.087s down on his Dutch teammate.