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Danish youngster Kevin Magnussen, whose father Jan raced in Formula 1 during the 1990s, put McLaren on top of the timesheets during the first day of a young driver test in Abu Dhabi.
Magnussen participated in the rookie test which included Nicolas Prost, son of French former champion Alain, and Lotus and McLaren reserve Gary Paffett.
Speaking to reporters at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh made no apologies for using the test more for development of the team's race car than to introduce fresh faces to F1.
NEW FACES IN F1
Whitmarsh said: "With the limitation on track testing, all teams play a different game. A lot of the small teams use young driver testing for revenue and a team like ours uses it largely for a range of technical developments.
"I'd be disappointed if we come out of that (test) without arriving (at the next race) in Texas with something we can put on the car or some better understanding that makes us quicker."
There are two races remaining in 2012, the US and Brazilian Grands Prix, and McLaren is battling Ferrari for second place in the Constructors' championship.
Paffet and Oliver Turvey will do the bulk of McLaren's testing in November 2012 at the Yas Marina Grand Prix circuit.
Champions Red Bull tested Antonio Felix Da Costa, who was second fastest, while Sauber tried out Robin Frijns.
Caterham tested driver Giedo Van der Garde.
Magnussen participated in the rookie test which included Nicolas Prost, son of French former champion Alain, and Lotus and McLaren reserve Gary Paffett.
Speaking to reporters at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh made no apologies for using the test more for development of the team's race car than to introduce fresh faces to F1.
NEW FACES IN F1
Whitmarsh said: "With the limitation on track testing, all teams play a different game. A lot of the small teams use young driver testing for revenue and a team like ours uses it largely for a range of technical developments.
"I'd be disappointed if we come out of that (test) without arriving (at the next race) in Texas with something we can put on the car or some better understanding that makes us quicker."
There are two races remaining in 2012, the US and Brazilian Grands Prix, and McLaren is battling Ferrari for second place in the Constructors' championship.
Paffet and Oliver Turvey will do the bulk of McLaren's testing in November 2012 at the Yas Marina Grand Prix circuit.
Champions Red Bull tested Antonio Felix Da Costa, who was second fastest, while Sauber tried out Robin Frijns.
Caterham tested driver Giedo Van der Garde.