The sound of Formula 1 engines was heard again this week for the first time since the Japanese Grand Prix back in October. The winter testing ban has officially ended and various teams are already running in Spain, with Bridgestone runners testing at the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona, while Michelin-shod teams are in action down the road in Valencia.
McLaren-Mercedes is the first team to run its 2004 car with David Coulthard shaking down the MP4-19 at Valencia.

Still on the tyre front, Bridgestone has officially announced that BAR-Honda will not be using its tyres in the 2004 season. The Brackley, England based team announced in Suzuka that it planned to switch to Michelin and that move has now been confirmed.