Formula1.com reports: McLarens Lewis Hamilton was the quickest man in action on Wednesday as this weeks multi-team test at Paul Ricard got underway. Hamilton clocked a best time of 1m 05.600s around the French circuit, which was configured to a short layout to allow the teams to make preparations for the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix. Full report to follow. Unofficial Wednesday test times from Paul Ricard: 1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:05.600 2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:06.098 3. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, 1:06. 4. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:06.348 5. Sebastian Vettel, Toro Rosso, 1:06.372 6. Nico Rosberg, Williams, 1:06.571 7. Alexander Wurz, Honda, 1:06.681 8. Timo Glock, Toyota, 1:06.936 9. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 1:07.346 10. Lucas di Grassi, Renault, 1:07.430 ********************************************* From Crash.Net - Narrative Lewis on top at Ricard. Wed 14 May, 07:15 PM Briton on top for McLaren as three-day French test kicks off. On a layout designed to give the teams chance to prepare for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton set the pace on the opening day of a three day Formula 1 group test at Paul Ricard. Despite completing 84 laps over the course of the day at Le Castelett, Hamilton was the quietest driver on track but still posted a best time of 1min 05.660secs around the 2D SC Short configuration of the high tech test track. Although he stopped on track at one point, Hamilton spent his time focusing on preparations for the Monaco event, with his day spent working on set-up development, tyre testing and evaluation of the Monaco-specific aerodynamic package which the team plans to use on the MP4-23 for F1's biggest event of the season. Behind Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen was second quickest for Ferrari, albeit some four tenths of a second behind his McLaren rival. Like the Briton, Raikkonen spent his day working on set-up and aerodynamic testing and the Finn completed more than 100 laps en-route to a best time of 1min 06.098secs. Despite problems with his F1.08, Robert Kubica was third quickest for BMW Sauber as the three leading teams on the grid emerged at the top of the pile. The Pole managed to complete 124 laps during the day despite being forced to curtail his running during the morning when his car developed an oil leak. With the team electing to change the engine as a precaution, Kubica was able to continue as scheduled into the afternoon as he attempted to fine tune the aerodynamics, suspension and engine electronics to cope with the unique challenge presented by the race around the streets of Monte Carlo. His best time was a fraction of a second slower than second placed Raikkonen. Following on from his solid performance in Istanbul, Mark Webber ended the day in fourth place for Red Bull Racing on his only scheduled day of running for the team this weekend. The Australian spent the day running with high downforce settings on the RB4 while evaluating aerodynamic components and working on mechanical set-up. He also tried both the soft and super soft tyre that will be available in Monte Carlo despite the fact that teams would normally run on harder rubber at Ricard. On his first run in the new STR3, Sebastian Vettel was fifth for the sister Toro Rosso team as it prepares to debut the car in Monaco. With a faulty timing transmitter being the only real issue on the day, the youngster worked through a series of new car checks including set-up and car balance while working with both the soft and super soft Bridgestone rubber. Williams became the latest team to try a 'shark-fin' engine cover on its car, following in the footsteps of Red Bull and Renault. With Nico Rosberg at the wheel, the new look car completed more laps than any other on track; the German managing 154 laps en-route to the sixth fastest time. Alex Wurz was seventh for Honda while Timo Glock posted the eighth fastest time for Toyota,with the German running a programme similar to the other nine drivers on track and focused mainly on the Monaco event. After trying a variety of different set-ups and aerodynamic configurations, Glock then spent time getting used to the Monaco-spec Bridgestone tyres and declared himself happy with the day. "The morning session was reasonable and then in the afternoon the track conditions improved quite a lot," he said. "It was a normal test day making Monaco preparations with the only problem being some big changes we made over the lunch break which took a bit longer than expected and cost us some track time. It was the first time I have run the car in such high-downforce configuration. I was quite happy with it but we still need to work a little to improve the traction. Overall though, the car felt pretty good." Force India elected to run test and reserve driver Tonio Liuzzi on the opening day with the Italian slotting into ninth on the times after a day that saw him complete over 100 laps without problems. While others used the softer compound tyres that teams will run on in Monte Carlo, Liuzzi used harder rubber during the day as he tested aerodynamic developments designed specifically for the street circuit. "Today's programme run on the short track simulation circuit layout was to evaluate a complete new front suspension for the VJM01, and to validate the package of aerodynamic changes that will be raced in Monaco next week," test team manager Dominic Harlow said. "During a busy day the team also worked on some ongoing development items in other mechanical areas of the car. "The circuit was initially a little green, but the weather conditions have not been too bad with mild temperatures, a fairly light wind and slowly the grip improved during the day. We continue tomorrow on the same circuit with both race drivers planning to devote most of their track time to prepare for the Monaco Grand-Prix." Lucas di Grassi completed the times for Renault on a day when the young Brazilian was second only to Rosberg in terms of laps completed. Di Grassi wracked up 146 laps during the course of the day at the wheel of the R28 as he evaluated a range of development parts that are due to be introduced in the coming races. "It was a reasonable first day of running, with good mileage and so we were able to complete quite a lot of our test objectives," chief test engineer Christian Silk said. "We did so much running because the weather forecast for the rest of the week is a bit uncertain, and so if the weather does deteriorate we've got as much work done as possible. It was also important to give Lucas a good number of laps in the car, which is what he needs at the moment." Testing continues on the same layout tomorrow.
