By Sam Cooper
January 23 2008

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one team have completed their first day of testing at the Valencia circuit in Spain. Race driver Heikki Kovalainen and test and reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa completed the teams testing duties today, finishing in 4th and 5th places respectively. The two drivers focused on gearbox millage ahead of the Australian Grand prix

The two Ferrari’s of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen ended the day in first and second places respectively. Massa completed a best lap time which was a whole 6 tenths clear of Kimi in the second F2008, which looks to be the favorite at this point in time for the 2008 championship.

Putting in a brilliant performance in 3rd was Williams driver Nico Rosberg, who managed to set a time which was just one tenth of a second shy of Kimi’s best time, in just his first time driving the new FW30.

After completing a long day testing out McLarens new, four race weekend, gearbox, Heikki Kovalainen completed a best time of 01:13.026 and completing 104 laps. Meanwhile test and reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa ended the day in 5th place, just a tenth ahead of fellow countryman Fernando Alonso.