Hamilton sets Jerez alight

[davewilson]

McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton showed he will be an immediate force to be reckoned with in Formula One with an astonishing test performance in Jerez.

The Briton clocked 1:18.682 on day two of three in Spain, a second ahead of Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella in second.

Hamilton was confirmed as McLaren's second driver just two weeks ago, edging out Pedro de la Rosa, who will continue as a test driver next season was eighth in Thursday's test.

It was not entirely plain sailing for Hamilton, whose afternoon ended early after an off-track excursion, although he still covered 354km.

The GP2 champion's superb performance can be partly attributed to the soft tyre compound used at an overcast Jerez, but it is still a formidable statement of intent.

World champion Fernando Alonso, who has signed for 2007, did not take part in the test as he is still officially contracted to Renault.

Rubens Barrichello logged the third-fastest time of the day and completed a mammoth 112 laps, while Nico Rosberg was just behind in his Williams.

Ralf Schumacher took fifth for Toyota, with Ferrari's Felipe Massa completing the top six.

Just days after his Super Aguri team targeted a Grand Prix race win by 2008, Anthony Davidson was 14th out of 17


The Stig