Monaco (and Montreal) in mind - testing underway at Paul Ricard

Just three days on from the Turkish Grand Prix and all ten Formula One teams are expected back in action on Wednesday, as testing resumes at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France.

The test will focus on preparations for the next round of the championship, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the following race in Canada, utilizing two different track layouts. The shorter configuration, simulating Monte Carlo, is expected to be used for the opening two days, before a switch to a longer layout on Friday to imitate Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Pedro de la Rosa and Lewis Hamilton are scheduled to test for McLaren, as the British team hone their high-downforce aero package, while Kimi Raikkonen is in the frame to lead Ferrari’s programme following a brief sojourn at his home in Switzerland. Robert Kubica will be behind the wheel of BMW Sauber’s F1.08 for the first two days, before handing over to team mate Nick Heidfeld on Friday.

Renault will have tester Lucas di Grassi on track on Wednesday, the Frenchman sampling Paul Ricard in an F1 car for the first time, before Nelson Piquet takes over on Thursday. The ever-improving Williams squad are expected to field Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg over the course of the test, while fellow midfielders Red Bull, Toyota, Renault and Honda will also be out in force.

After continuing with an interim version of their 2007 car at Istanbul Park, Toro Rosso are expecting a busy time in France as they continue on-track evaluations of the new STR3, due to make its race debut in Monaco.

The weather looks set to be fine and dry at Paul Ricard on Wednesday, though some rain is forecast later in the week. As always, Formula1.com will bring you daily reports on the teams’ progress, as well as the latest pictures. Note - all schedules are provisional and subject to change.