London:  Ferrari struggled with their electrics whilst rivals McLaren kept up the pressure during the first day of testing in Spain on yesterday (Feb 12, 2007).

The Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, saw ten of the eleven teams – only Toro Rosso were absent  roar onto the track with mixed fortunes.

Felipe Massa’s concerns over the F2007 were vindicated after both cars suffered with different electrical failures on the new layout of the Catalan track.

Massa’s car developed an electrical problem on its installation lap, which provoked a small fire that led to a long stop in the pits to effect repairs, whilst Kimi Räikkönen also suffered a different electrical problem, which meant he too spent a long while in the garage.

Whilst Ferrari spent most of the day in the garage completing just 25 and 29 laps respectively, McLaren’s Pedro de la Rosa – who set the quickest lap time – and Fernando Alonso third fastest managed 76 and 57 laps.

To reinforce Massa’s comments over the weekend, BMW-Sauber’s Robert Kubica was second fastest by the narrowest of margins.

Alex Wurz set an impressive fourth quickest time in the Williams car whilst Jarno Trulli (Toyota) and rookie Heikki Kovalainen (Renault) were seventh and eighth fastest.