2005 DTM champion, Gary Paffett set the pꦫace Monday, as F1 testing resumed at the Circuit de Catౠalunya in Barcelona following the post-season break.

Paffett drove McLaren's interim car - the MP4-20B, which has been adjusted to test the new Mercedes V8 engine for 2006. The Englishman, who had t🌼ested previously for McLaren, after winning the 'McLaren Autosport BRDC young driver of th𒊎e year' award, completed 57 laps, his best a 1 minute 20.586 seconds.

"I'm really happy to drive a Formula One car again after more than two years, and I particularly enjoy that I can test with McLaren Mercedes," said Paffett. "I gained a lot of experience and completed more than 250 ki🍎lometres.

"For me, cornering speeds and braking were most impressive. However, in my opinion the difference between the DTM꧑ and the Formula One car is not as big as it was between the Formula 3 and the Form🍎ula One car three years ago. Co-operating with the technicians I benefited a lot from my experience in the DTM. I'm already looking forward to continuing testing tomorrow."

Mer👍cedes boss, Norbert Haug said he was 'satisfied' with🅘 Paffett's form.

"This test was not only a reward for Gary's DTM title win," explained Haug. "Gary is also integrated in our development programme for the new season. During his 57 laps with our new V8 engine today he provided the technicians with valuable data. Our test team was satisfied with Gary'🌺s job on the first day of our preparation programme for the new season; he had a good start with the team."

Alexander Wurz meanwhile also tested in a McLaren MP4-20B with the new V8 engine however he completed just 10 laps after transmission problems in the morning, which were further compounded by hydraulic iss🐽ues.

"It was great to be back in action today at the Circuit de Catalunya, however my running was limited because of the small issues with the car, which have now been resolved," stated the Austrian. "I am looking forward to be b🤪ack behind the wheel tomorrow to really experience the Mercedes-Benz V8 and being able to put in more laps."

Nick Heidfeld was the only other driver in action, completing 30 odd laps, as he began the first test with the Saub✱er C24B, fitted with a BMW P86 V8 engine. In the morning Heidfeld 🦹had no problems, however in the afternoon engineers stopped the programme early due to concerns with the engine. The German's best lap was a 1m 21.356s, around eight tenths slower than the McLarens.

"After an almost three-month break I could hardly wait for the first test," said Heidfeld. "The chassis and engine ran without any problems in the ඣmorning. All the systems were working p🐲erfectly.

"Of course you can tell the difference in performance compared to the V10. That's something you just have to get used to. A positive surprise is that the engine vibrates a lot less than I had🍌 expected. In the afternoon we had to break off work early when the engineers spotted a problem in the data and told me to switch off the engine."

Testing now conti🅘nues on Tuesday, when Williams-Cosworth, Toyota, Red Bull-Ferrari and Toro Rosℱso will join proceedings.

Leading times (28 November) - Barcelona:

1. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1min 20.586secs 57 laps
2. Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes 1min 20.665secs 10 laps
3. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1min 21.356secs 30 laps

[all drivers on Michelin tyres.]

Track conditions: Sunny and cold.

All times unofficial - courtesy of the Circuit de Catalunya website.

Comparative lap times:

Spanish GP 2005:

Fastest lap: Giancarlo Fisichella Renault-Renault 1min 15.641secs