Sturdy 3rd and 4th on 23/3

By McLaren PR
March 24 2006

Pedro de la Rosa continued the MP4-21 development programme at Paul Ricard today, covering 550km and putting in the third quickest time of the eight hour session, with a 1m05.094.

Running continued on the 3.8km 3E SC layout at the French track, with Pedro and Gary Paffett, who was driving the MP4-20, focusing on concluding tyre selection for Imola with Michelin.

This saw both drivers complete series of short and long runs to evaluate the different compounds. Pedro's morning session ended with six one-lappers as the Spaniard simulated qualifying on the different Michelins as part of the programme.

Having driven 153 laps and 580km in the interim car, Gary set the fourth fastest time of the day, a 1m05.518.

Pedro and Gary will conclude testing for the week at Paul Ricard tomorrow.

Driver	Constructor	Time	Laps
Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	1m04.400	213
Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1m04.903	96
Pedro de la Rosa	Team McLaren Mercedes	1m05.094	145
Gary Paffett	Team McLaren Mercedes	1m05.518	153
Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1m05.702	72
Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	1m05.738	121