Following its launch in Stuttgart earlier this week, McLaren’s 2008 car made its track debut in Jerez early on Wednesday morning. Tester Pedro de la Rosa, who was tasked with taking the MP4-23 out on the Spanish circuit for the first time, pulled out of the garage at just after 0900 hours local time.

The Spaniard will be joined by newly-signed race driver Heikki Kovalainen later on in the day. Kovalainen, who raced for Renault in 2007, will take charge of a second MP4-23, as he makes his first on-track appearance for McLaren.

The squad, who are scheduled to test privately for the next three days, will concentrate on kick starting the 2008 car’s on-track development, ahead of next week’s multi-team session at the circuit.

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