Nine drivers remained at Monza for the fourth and extra day of testing ahead of next weekend’s Italian grand prix and once again it was a McLaren driver at the top of the timesheets with the Woking based squad’s test driver, Pedro de la Rosa, taking over driving duties.

Due to heavy rain overnight the track was once again very wet during the morning session but Pedro ventured out on track for the first time shortly before 10:30, completing an exploratory lap on wet tyres. Testing then began in earnest for the Spaniard shortly before 14:00, and for the first few runs in the afternoon the track was still damp in various sectors.

Pedro and the test team finalised tyre evaluation with Bridgestone prior to the Grand Prix next weekend. Significant aerodynamic testing, brake selection, set-up and mechanical work also continued, on both general development programmes and specific to the Monza race.

Second for the day was Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and like de la Rosa, Felipe only ran after the lunch break, when the track gradually dried out. He continued with working on finding the best set-up on the F2007 for the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix and by the end of the day, Felipe had covered 67 laps, the quickest in a time of 1.23.289.

Robert Kubica was third overall for BMW, the Polish racer continuing his work from yesterday and concentrated on further improving the mechanical set-up of the car, as well as fine- tuning the electronic systems. He then made a tyre comparison, also doing some long- runs. Despite the difficult weather conditions, the team was finally able to complete the program in preparation for the Italian Grand Prix.