McLaren test driver Gary Paffett set the pace on Day 2 of the rookie test at Jerez, where twelve drivers were on duty for nine teams.

Once again it was somewhat cold as the session got underway, however, temperatures continued to rise throughout the day, with a mid-day rain shower punctuating proceedings.

Paffett undertook all of today's running, spending the early part of the morning conducting vibration tests until weather conditions improved. The Woking team then moved on to a number of aero calibration tests and a baseline run, with the Englishman setting his fastest time of the day just before the brief arrival of a lunchtime rain shower.

A large part of the remainder of the day was then spent simulating 2010 fuel-loads and their effect on car balance and tyre degradation, the results of which proved encouraging. At the end of the day, Paffett briefly conducted a test of some suspension modifications.

Tomorrow, Oliver Turvey will return to the cockpit to conclude his test, the team aiming to provide him a better feel for the car during his morning's running. Thereafter, Paffett will conclude the programme, once again working within the limitations of the 2009 car and tyres to simulate next year's heavier fuel-loads.

Nico Hulkenberg was on duty for Williams, the 2010 race driver taking over from F2 champion Andy Soucek who led the way here yesterday. Hulkenberg completed 94 laps on his way to posting a best time 0.466s shy of Paffett.

For Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo tackled a similar programme to yesterday, which involved getting to grips with the actual driving and procedures that are unique to these cars, as well as trying two different tyre compounds. The Australian also carried out various tests aimed at the 2010 season: aero and brake testing, as well as running the car in the very heavy configuration resulting from next year's ban on race refuelling.

"I found it a bit easier today," said Ricciardo. "I knew what to expect this morning and the procedures were easier to understand, so I was able to concentrate on improving my driving and hopefully give my best in terms of providing the engineers with good feedback."

Paul di Resta and JR Hildebrand continued for Force India. The Scot was in the car first this morning and after completing installation runs and some initial set up work, went on to run some 2010 development items and conduct some fuel system evaluation. The 23-year-old posted the second quickest time of the morning.

Hildebrand took over for the afternoon and conducted a similar programme of basic set up and evaluation of the VJM02 with a simulated 2010 fuel tank load. With colder conditions and light rain in the early part of the afternoon the 21-year-old American Indy Lights champion completed 49 laps with a best of 1:20.517.

"Yesterday the programme was to get comfortable in the car and to see how everything worked," said di Resta. "I was able to get to a reasonable level quite quickly after one run so I felt prepared and had progressed enough for the team to be able to use me to test some development items, which will of course help them in 2010. We had quite a structured programme this morning of running back to back set-up for 2009 and 2010 and both long and short runs, but it went pretty well. I'm up to speed now and I understand what I can do to improve my own performance. Equally each run we are doing something different so I need to keep learning and giving feedback so the team can get the information they need too. I hope they feel they can use me now."