IndyCar rookie of the year Marco Andretti was left wanting more after completing his first day in a Formula One car at Jerez yesterday [Friday].

The American, son of sometime McLaren driver Michael, joined Honda F1 for the final day of testing in 2006, and turned 68 laps of the southern Spanish circuit, with a best time of 1min 21.88secs. Even though an early session transponder error credited him with quicker times set by team-mate Christian Klein, Andretti ended up 15th fastest on the day, 2.4secs off the ultimate pace set by McLaren newcomer Lewis Hamilton, as the Briton, new team-mate Fernando Alonso and Renault duo Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen topped the table.

"I couldn't have had more fun today, and it's a shame that it was only a day," the 19-year old admitted, "It took me a little while to get used to the traction control and the brakes but, once I got to grips with them, the times were more and more consistent.

Andretti's outing at Jerez was a reward for his exceptional IRL rookie season, in which he finished as runner-up in the Indianapolis 500 and became the youngest winner of a major US open-wheel event when he won at Infineon Raceway in August.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the Honda Racing team, and comment on how professional and welcoming they have been this week," the youngster said, "I'm sure that they will have a good season next year."

Despite his lack of familiarity with an F1 car, the team was impressed with how quickly Andretti got comfortable with the RA106 and the technology within.

"It's been great to have Marco with the team and in the car today," sporting director Gil de Ferran, a fellow IRL racewinner, commented, "He did a good job and acclimatised himself well in the very short time that a one-day test provides. Marco looked comfortable straightaway with the car and the track, and overall it was a good first experience in a Formula One car."

Marco's grandfather, the legendary Mario Andretti, has made no secret of his desire to see the 19-year old in F1 in the future, and will have been heartened by way he performed in Spain.

"Marco approached the day in a mature and professional manner, well in advance of his years, and performed well," chief engineer Mark Ellis confirmed, "It has been
a pleasure to give him his first drive in a Formula One car."