Kimi Raikkonen led the way with a best time of 1m19.845s, a quarter of a second clear of team-mate Felipe Massa, as both drivers began development work on the F2008.

Rain reduced teams’ mileage in the morning and meant few meaningful times were set until after lunch, although some drivers used the opportunity to try running in the wet without traction control.

Pedro de la Rosa was third quickest McLaren’s new MP4-23, with Woking new boy Heikki Kovalainen fifth, after the team largely sat out the morning rain.

Toro Rosso enjoyed a positive day with its STR2s, Sebastian Vettel clocking the fourth best time and Sebastien Bourdais sixth fastest ahead of Nico Rosberg in the interim Williams FW29B.

Toyota had one TF108 chassis available for Jarno Trulli following the Japanese manufacturer’s launch last Thursday, while new recruit Timo Glock drove a modified version of last year’s TF107.

Trulli racked up an impressive 87 laps in the new car and was encouraged by both its reliability and pace.

“The car seems to be running well and there are no major problems,” said the Italian.

“I was happy to do so many laps with a new car today – it was a positive day.”

Glock blotted his copybook with a spin into the gravel soon after lunch, when he ran over the damp kerb at turn eight, but will get his first run in the TF108 tomorrow (Tuesday).

Nelson Piquet Jr was ninth quickest on his first appearance as a Renault race driver.

The Brazilian was at the wheel of last year’s R27 and focused on engine mapping work to give the team a better understanding of the new regulations on electronics.

“I would certainly have liked the chance to get more time in the car today, but the conditions in the morning were not ideal for either wet or dry tyres and so we had to wait for the weather to improve,” he said.

“I’m still happy to get back on track for the first time this year and get my preparations underway.”

Tomorrow, double world champion Fernando Alonso will have his first outing in ING Renault F1 colours since returning to the Anglo-French squad.

Tonio Liuzzi completed his first official day of duty for Force India, posting 47 laps despite losing time to hydraulic problems throughout the day.

Super Aguri also suffered technical problems, limiting James Rossiter to just 10 laps in the wet morning conditions.


Testing times from Jerez (January 14)

1. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m19.845s
2. MASSA Ferrari 1m20.123s
3. DE LA ROSA McLaren 1m20.548s
4. VETTEL Toro Rosso 1m20.732s
5. KOVALAINEN McLaren 1m20.936s
6. BOURDAIS Toro Rosso 1m20.997s
7. ROSBERG Williams 1m21.143s
8. TRULLI Toyota 1m21.344s
9. PIQUET Renault 1m21.595s
10. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m21.745s
11. LIUZZI Force India 1m23.035s
12. NAKAJIMA Williams 1m23.134s
13. GLOCK Toyota 1m24.351s
14. ROSSITER Super Aguri 1m34.862s

The French manufacturer endured a below-par ‘07 campaign after winning both titles in the previous two years.

But having taken the opportunity to get a head-start on its ‘08 car, and with double world champion Fernando Alonso returning to the team, it is expected to be a force to be reckoned with again in the coming season.

Kubica, though, says BMW has nothing to fear from Renault and must focus on closing the gap to Ferrari and McLaren rather than worry about slipping back.

“First of all I am not afraid, I am looking forward to where we will be,” the Pole said at the launch of BMW‘s new car in Munich..

“In Formula 1 there are five or six teams who are working 100 per cent to catch the front-runners and every single season there is some surprise.

“I think no one was expecting BMW Sauber to be so strong in 2007 and we will have some surprises in 2008.

“Let’s hope we will be stronger – I’m sure we will be stronger – and we make a bigger step forward than our competitors.”

Team-mate Heidfeld is more wary of a Renault revival, but still believes BMW will prove the stronger of the two teams.

“Very difficult to judge,” he said.

“I expect Renault to make the jump forward; obviously I hope they will not overtake us and I doubt it.

“Then I expect it will be Ferrari and McLaren being the strongest teams.

“But it is still early days.

“From what you see and what you hear, McLaren were quite good at the roll-out in Jerez and already setting some impressive times.

“So I guess it is Ferrari and McLaren again and hopefully we can close the gap.”