Sauber tests Renault star Raikkonen.

Sauber took advantage of its latest test session at Mugello to give Finnish sensation Kimi Raikkonen a run in one of its Formula One machines.

The Swiss team moved quickly to offer Raikkonen, the new British Formula Renault 2000 champion, his first run in a grand prix machine, and will undoubtedly attempt to head off the queue of expected suitors for his signature in the future. Little pressure was put on the 20-year old Finn, but he impressed the team nevertheless with a competent debut showing over 29 laps of the Tuscan circuit.

''Today was a good opportunity to evaluate Kimi as he tried an F1 car for the first time,'' commented test team manager Jacky Eeckaerlert, ''I was afraid that he would bring the car back in pieces, but he made no mistakes and, on the same rubber, was only 1.5secs slower than Pedro [Diniz], despite his complete lack of F1 experience. Tomorrow we will continue his training, while assessing his sensitivity to changes in the car's set-up.''

Raikkonen, who has dominated the current season with the all-conquering Manor Motorsport outfit, is expected to graduate to Formula Three with the team next year, but has been tipped to go all the way by those who have worked with him. The Finn is managed by the same team as Jenson Button and could yet follow the Briton straight into F1 from one of the lower rungs of the motorsport ladder.

''Today has been fantastic for me,'' Raikkonen beamed, ''The F1 car is nicer to drive than an F3, and was very exciting. Of course, I have to get used to it, but I haven't had any real problems today. I just need to become used to the braking and acceleration forces. I think I've been wearing the biggest smile of my life today!''

Raikkonen will continue with the team tomorrow [Wednesday], but the test will be suspended after that as marshals attend the funeral of colleague Paolo Ghislimberti, who was killed at Monza on Sunday.