Motorsport/ Formula One: David Coulthard gave McLaren's new 2004 Formula One car its track debut yesterday as teams began testing for the first time since the end of the season in October.

Coulthard, likely to be embarking on his last season with the Mercedes-powered team after they signed Juan Pablo Montoya from Williams for 2005, drove the MP4-19 at the Valencia circuit in Spain.

"Initially the MP4-19 feels good, it seems to have great potential and it is a further step in comparison with the MP4-17D," said the Scot.

McLaren completed the 2003 season with a development of the previous year's car after the MP4-18, that had been due for introduction mid-season, suffered repeated crash test failures and reliability problems.

The car has an all new V10 to conform to 2004 regulations intended to cut costs by limiting teams to one engine per car per race weekend.

McLaren, who also announced that they had signed aerodynamicist Nicholas Tombazis from Ferrari, are the first of the Formula One teams to test their 2004 cars.

Jaguar, Toyota, Renault and Sauber have all announced January launches for their new cars with the remaining teams yet to finalise dates.

Managing director Martin Whitmarsh said the team hoped to gain a significant advantage by getting their 2004 car onto the test track before their rivals.

"The timeframe will allow us to maximise fully our pre-season test and development programme and therefore help to meet our aim of sustaining a consistent challenge for both world championships," he said.

The BAR Formula One team will use Michelin tyres next year after agreeing with Bridgestone to end their partnership.