WilliamsF1 test driver Antonio Pizzonia set the pace on the first day of testing at Jerez de la Frontera.

Although the weather was overcast in the morning, conditions improved throughout the day, with the ambient temperature reaching 26 degrees C.

Pizzonia, WilliamsF1's sole representative at Jerez this week, began the day carrying out brake and systems checks. He later concentrated on set-up work before switching to tyre testing in the afternoon.

Second quickest was Renault tester Franck Montagny, who was once again joined by Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen. The Frenchman carried out long distance runs, while Kovalainen focussed on aerodynamic evaluations.

McLaren had Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz on duty, as the Woking outfit attempts to close the gap to WilliamsF1 in the constructors' championship.

Toyota had Ricardo Zonta and Ryan Briscoe in action, while BAR and Jaguar both had one driver present, Enrique Bernoldi for the Brackley outfit and Bjorn Wirdheim for the Milton Keynes team.

Bernoldi lost valuable track-time in the morning, when he suffered an engine failure. It's believed that Honda intends using its so-called 'Suzuka special' in Brazil next week, so today's failure will not inspire confidence as the team attempts to consolidate runner up spot in the 2004 constructors' championship.

Times