Formula One news

Kovalainen fastest as Spyker reveals livery

Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen set the pace on the opening day of testing this week at Silverstone. The Finn finished the day with a best lap of 1m19.125s after 91 laps, 0.2s ahead of Toyota's Ricardo Zonta and Franck Montagny making his debut for the Japanese team.

Eight drivers from five teams were in action today working mainly on preparations for the Japanese Grand Prix, which takes place the weekend after the Chinese race.

Apart from Montagny's new team debut, Nelson Piquet Jr made his debut for Renault and finished fourth fastest after 71 laps, only 0.6s down on Kovalainen. 

Running the Spyker MF1 team's new liver was Christijan Albers on his way to the fifth fastest time taking over after lunch from Adrian Valles who got his first run with the team today. 

At the bottom of the time sheet was Narain Karthikeyan who drove just six laps, but crucially they were at the wheel of a Williams car fitted with a Toyota V8 engine.

Testing continues tomorrow when McLaren will also join in the action. The team was supposed to start work today but only managed a few installation laps with Lewis Hamilton as it awaited a delivery of new Mercedes engines.

more news

• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future
  • Karthikeyan not interested in joining Force India
  • Mosley: Finding a successor won't be easy
  • Ecclestone won't split teams - Howett
  • Mosley may still try to continue
• 23 Dec. '08
  • WSR team Draco teams up with Force India
  • Howett: Ecclestone not able to split FOTA
  • Toyota committed to Formula 1

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