Reigning Formula Two champion Andy Soucek enjoyed his first day working with the Virgin Racing F1 team as the final pre-season test got underway at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona today (Thursday).

Twelve Formula One teams are present at the four day test in Spain and Soucek is hoping to get his first experience of the VR-01 machine after signing with the British squad as their official reserve driver for the 2010 season.

Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi was given the driving duties on the opening day, and enjoyed an encouraging start to the session with a number of installation runs. The team then completed a solid eight lap stint before focussing on a sequence of quicker laps.

As Soucek looked on from the pitwall, the car's pace seemed to improve on each tour of the 4.6km circuit as di Grassi set a personal best 1:27.057s lap time - some one second faster than fellow newcomer Lotus F1. Sadly, though, di Grassi crashed midway through the third hour after losing control at turn nine. The car made contact with the tyre barrier and was too damaged to continue, with its likely return not scheduled until tomorrow afternoon.

Soucek was involved throughout the day as he took part in both the pre-session briefing and the afternoon de-briefing with the drivers and engineers. Today's accident has put the team behind schedule, and although Soucek is unsure as to when he will get to drive the car, the Spaniard was delighted to spend his first day in new colours.

"I had a good day," said Soucek. "I met all of the members of the team and got to know as many of them as possible. There are a lot of young and very motivated people here trying to push as hard as possible. I have been learning throughout the day - I have been speaking with the drivers and of course looking through all of the data. I feel like an important part of the team and I am really happy. We had a few issues with the car and it is important that the race drivers can complete more than 30 laps each day - I will get my moment once the car is reliable and I am looking forward to it very much."