By Nick Sparkes
May 19 2006

On the twisty and confined layout set out at Paul Ricard, Toyota began testing with the teams new TF106B. Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher completing over 100 laps each as they prepare the car for next weekends Monaco Grand Prix. But as ever, a Renault headed the time sheets. On a warm sunny day 12 drivers took to the racetrack Fernando Alonso kept up his dominate performance to end the first day fastest, just 0.021 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

Jarno Trulli who has been the subject of much criticism over the past few weeks ended an impressive third in the new Toyota, whilst teammate Ralf Schumacher was back in tenth one and a half seconds behind the Italian.

McLaren who have failed to win a single Grand Prix this year were fifth and sixth, whilst Toro Rosso’s Scott Speed finished a worrying ninth, ahead of Ralf Schumacher in the Toyota and both Red Bull’s of Klien and Doornbos. Toro Rosso is expected to have a huge advantage at Monaco because of their rev limited V10.

Toyota and the rest continue testing tomorrow.

1	F. Alonso		Renault		01:05.686	143
2	F. Massa		Ferrari		01:05.707	127
3	J. Trulli		Toyota		01:05.752	117
4	H. Kovalainen		Renault		01:05.889	174
5	K. Räikkönen		McLaren		01:05.996	68
6	JP. Montoya		McLaren		01:06.177	103
7	N. Heidfeld		BMW		01:06.466	100
8	R. Kubica		BMW		01:06.586	123
9	S. Speed		Scuderia Toro Rosso		01:06.725	150
10	R. Schumacher		Toyota		01:07.09	104
11	C. Klien		Red Bull		01:07.016	65
12	R. Doornbos		Red Bull		01:07.760	83