de la Rosa ends Portimao test on top.

The 2008 Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' Champions McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari brought their year to an end with a final day of testing around the new Portimao circuit in Portugal.

Only two drivers were present today with Pedro de la Rosa assuming McLaren duties and Luca Badoer getting sole responsibility with the Ferrari.

de la Rosa was the quickest of the two drivers round the undulating Algarve circuit, the McLaren team working on the interim car, complete with the KERS device that will appear in 2009. His best lap of 1min 28.998 was just over a second quicker than that of Badoer.

With the 2008 season at an end and no testing due until late January, attention turns now to the launch of the 2009 machines, with McLaren launching the MP4-24 on January 16th.

Lap times Portimao 17/12/2008:

1.Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1min 28.998secs 74 laps
2.Luca Badoer Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 30.163secs 75 laps

Conditions: Warm and sunny, significantly increasing circuit grip levels. Maximum ambient temperature

All times unofficial