Toyota's young guns made the most of an empty track at Jerez today, completing more than 160 laps between them on the first day of the final test of the year.

Third driver Franck Montagny and Toyota Young Driver Programme star Kohei Hirate were on hand as the Japanese squad conducted tyre and suspension set-up work, software evaluation and practice starts. Both agreed it had been a productive day under the Spanish sun, and a welcome change from the rain that plagued much of the testing at the circuit last week.

“Today's running was quite good,” Montagny confirmed. “I worked well with the car and I am pretty happy with the work we did. We were expecting a few problems because we were the only ones driving on the track – we thought we would have some graining of the tyres – but that was not the case.

“The car worked well and I am pleased because it has improved quite a lot since I drove last Wednesday. We did a couple of long runs today and they seemed to go well. The car is quite steady and now we are looking forward to tomorrow.”

Formula 3 Euroseries race-winner and 2007 DAMS GP2 ace Hirate lapped just over a second shy of Montagny's best, and the 20-year-old was pleased with his second taste of Formula One action.

“The whole day I didn't have any problems and the car was fun to drive,” he reported. “At the end I was a bit tired because it was very hard to keep performing at a high level. The conditions were different to last time so it is hard to compare, but we found a good set-up for this tyre and for tomorrow I think the team can start from a good position.

“This is my second time testing with Toyota and I am feeling more comfortable within the team. From the first day I noticed the team works very well together. In these two tests I have learnt how to use the tyres and also how to gain time in the corners, because it is quite different from the other cars I have driven. I have adapted to a Formula One style, which takes time to learn.

“I am sure this experience will help me next season in GP2, especially when it comes to the braking because this car is so strong under brakes. The other things I have learnt about – electronics and things like that – are completely different to GP2 though.”

Test team manager Gerd Pfeiffer also professed himself happy with progress at the start of the three-day test, and vowed to take maximum advantage of the last remaining track time of 2006.

“Today we returned to our programme of testing next year's tyres,” he explained. “These last three tests of the year have followed pretty much the same pattern as we primarily try to learn more about the tyres while collecting set-up information in the process.

“The track conditions were good and both drivers managed quite a few laps. Franck brings a lot of experience and he is working well with the team already, while Kohei is learning fast and showed today he can be consistent and quick. We now have only two days testing left this year and we are aiming to make the most of them.”


Leading times (December 12) - Jerez:

1. Franck Montagny Toyota-Toyota 1min 20.073secs 79 laps
2. Kohei Hirate Toyota-Toyota 1min 21.214secs 82 laps


Weather/Track conditions: Dry.


All times unofficial - courtesy of Panasonic Toyota Racing