Barcelona test, day 7: Sauber stars

The German was driving the second 2001 car to be completed by the Hinwil-based team and set the top time 0.2s ahead of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve in a BAR-Honda 003.

Villeneuve, fresh from yesterday's London launch of the new car, completed an impressive 85 laps and continued to work on the balance of the Malcolm Oastler-penned machine.

The Canadian's running was cut short at the end of the session when a mechanical problem caused him to stop out on the circuit, bringing out the only red flags of the day. The BAR team concluded testing today and begin again at the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday.

The Sauber team were further encouraged by young Finn Kimi Raikkonen taking third spot in the second C20.

"We're getting closer to an ideal set-up," said Raikkonen, "but it's still not quite right. My original impression is still very good."

Williams-BMW test driver Marc Gene, who set the first fastest time in winter testing for Michelin yesterday, finished the day in fourth place in the only 2000 car present. The Spaniard completed a tyre development programme for the French tyre manufacturer, which returns to Formula 1 this year, before race driver Juan Pablo Montoya takes over tomorrow.

Jaguar Racing joined Sauber in fielding two 2001 cars for drivers Eddie Irvine and Luciano Burti. Under the eye of team boss Bobby Rahal, the duo finished fifth and sixth respectively. Irvine drove the repaired R2 which he crashed at Valencia two weeks ago while Burti shook down the newer car.



Nick Heidfeld, Sauber-Petronas B (2001 car) 1m20.84s, 60 laps
Jacques Villeneuve, BAR-Honda B (2001 car), 1m21.04s, 85 laps
Kimi Raikkonen, Sauber-Petronas B (2001 car) 1m21.94s, 54 laps
Marc Gene*, Williams-BMW M, 1m21.53s, 63 laps
Eddie Irvine, Jaguar M (2001 car) 1m22.92s, 34 laps
Luciano Burti, Jaguar M (2001 car), 1m25.42s, 12 laps
M - Michelin
B - Bridgestone
*denotes test driver