By Sam Cooper
February 15 2008

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one team have completed their third and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. The team’s two race drivers tried out new aerodynamic parts, including a radical new wheel cover, which Lewis Hamilton tested, as he finished the day fourth. Heikki Kovalainen tested a rather more conventional wheel cover and ended the day in 1st place.

Heikki Kovalainen finished McLarens third and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit in 1st place, while carrying out an aerodynamic development program. Heikki tested out new wheel covers, as well as new bodywork parts, which he and Lewis were testing in the previous days testing.

Finishing in second place was Red Bull driver David Coulthard, whose fastest lap time was half a second shy of Heikki Kovalainen best time. He and Mark Webber completed more than the team expected to cover. In third place was Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima, who set a lap time which was 1.2 seconds shy of McLarens ultimate place.

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton ended the last day in 4th place, one and a half seconds slower than his team-mate. Hamilton spent the day completing the aerodynamic programme, as well as debuting some rather unusual wheel covers, which extend out beyond the tyre wall. These covers, if hit could cause a puncture to that particular McLaren car and still could be banned ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 16th.

"The primary focus of the test this week has been pushing forward with the aerodynamic programme," Martin Whitmarsh began. "There was some disruption to this on Wednesday and Thursday due to the windy conditions. However the test team have been able to complete the proving process on a range of aerodynamic components.”

"The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team has seven track days remaining before the cars depart for Melbourne on 6th March, incorporating full test sessions and some straight-line work," McLaren's CEO continued. "Naturally there will be a focus externally on the multi-team test at Barcelona in the final week of February. It will be the first time in a few weeks that all the leading teams will be on the same track."

"Whilst this will give us the possibility of a more comprehensive comparison, we will nevertheless focus on our own test programme rather than chase times. The real litmus test of performance will take place in Australia."

Times from the day are shown below.