LONDON -- Championship runner-up Kimi Raikkonen tried out McLaren's new Formula One car on Friday in his first test since the end-of-season showdown in Japan last October.

"It is still early days as I have only completed one day's running, but the car felt good," the Finn told the McLaren Web site.

"The main focus was for me to get acquainted with the car, making sure I was comfortable in it and getting used to how it felt on track," he added.

Raikkonen completed 37 laps in the MP4-19 with the sixth fastest time in a damp session at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, where again Williams drivers were quickest.

Spaniard Marc Gene, focusing on tyre work, was fastest in a development version of last season's FW25 car while Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya concentrated on mechanical set-ups and was second quickest in the new FW26.

"We're pleased with the data we've recorded and will continue work on the FW26 over the weekend with Ralf (Schumacher)," said chief operations engineer Sam Michael in a team statement.

Renault, Toyota, Ferrari and BAR were also at the Jerez test with Honda-powered BAR enduring a troubled day.

The Autosport Web site reported that Japan's Takuma Sato crashed before the chicane while tester Anthony Davidson had anhad engine failure.

Sauber's Felipe Massa was again testing for Ferrari, continuing the job he did last season for the world champions.