Back to business this week in Jerez

The first tests of the year begin today, with nine of the eleven teams looking to continue their preparation for the 2008 championship.

McLaren has already undergone closed tests in Jerez last week, which took place from Wednesday to Friday, following the launch of the new MP4-23 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on January 7th.

« Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen, and Pedro de la Rosa were all present for these tests where two MP4-23 cars were at their disposal. No problems disrupted the various sessions, and the new car covered more than 1999 kilometers, » the team stated in a declaration on their official website.

McLaren will take the lead in Jerez with Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett working together for the first time and getting behind the wheel of the MP4-23 for the first time.

Additionally, Ferrari will also be present, with Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa together for these three days of testing.

Toyota, Williams, and Toro Rosso, like McLaren and Ferrari, considered running two cars. Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock will make the debut runs of the TF108 for Toyota, while Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima will be present for Williams on the first day. The duo Sebastian Vettel and Sébastien Bourdais will be on track for Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Red Bull Racing seems ready to field only one car during the first two days, with David Coulthard taking the wheel first and then Mark Webber on track on Tuesday. Both drivers will be in action on Wednesday when the new RB4 will be officially unveiled.

Super Aguri will use James Rossiter and Anthony Davidson, while Force India has yet to confirm who they will test.

Renault will be present for four days, with Nelson Piquet Jr kicking off the work ahead of Fernando Alonso scheduled for days 2 and 3, and Alvaro Parente – winner of the World Series by Renault – on day 4.