McLaren ends its first MP4-23 test runs

The McLaren Mercedes team today concluded the first testing sessions with its 2008 car, the MP4-23, with Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen at the controls. Each driver completed about 400 kilometers during today's runs, which were held under various weather conditions as occasional showers fell upon the Spanish circuit.

Following the launch event last Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the MP4-23 has completed three positive test days at the Jerez track.

Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Pedro de la Rosa all participated in the testing sessions, which ran two MP4-23 chassis without any major issues and saw the new car cover 1,999 kilometers over 452 laps.

The McLaren Mercedes engineering team will spend the weekend analyzing and working with the intelligence gathered from the three-day session as the pre-season development program continues with force.

The test team will then return to track action on Monday with Pedro de la Rosa alongside Gary Paffett, who will be taking the wheel of the MP4-23 for the first time. Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will both take over the driving duties on Tuesday and Wednesday.