Alonso upbeat after 1st laps in new McLaren
(Reuters)Updated: 2007-01-18 11:08
Double world champion Fernando Alonso enthused about McLaren's new Formula One car on Wednesday after testing it for the first time at the Valencia circuit.
"I am very happy after today's shakedown in the MP4-22," the
25-year-old Spaniard, who has moved to McLaren after winning two titles in
succession with Renault, said in a team release.
"There were no great surprises. It has the same philosophy (as last year's car), which is good as I felt comfortable in this car," added Alonso, who had one day of testing in the previous car last month.
"Working with the team so far has been really positive and I feel that the atmosphere is really enthusiastic."
Alonso did 59 laps in the Mercedes-powered car, which was formally unveiled in Valencia on Monday, with a best time of one minute 12.050 seconds.
Germany's Nick Heidfeld, in the new BMW Sauber, lapped in 1:12.169.
Alonso was briefly sidelined with an engine oil leak during the afternoon but the problem was rectified and he continued the session with no further setbacks.
Champions Renault were testing their new car to the south in Jerez, with both Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and Finland's Heikki Kovalainen in action.
The team said they had successfully completed the first race distance with the new R27. Analysis of Monday's engine problem was traced to the failure of a component and both cars ran untroubled.
"This is a brand new car so to complete a full race distance on the first proper day of running, without any problems, is a very good achievement," said Fisichella. "It means that we are already in a strong position with reliability."
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