Test round-up: Gavin replaces Button

The former British F3 champion managed 19 laps in the R202 after a bout of dizziness caused Button to drop out. Gavin carried on the software development programme his countryman had begun and unsurprisingly given the circumstances ended he session at the foot of the times. He'll get a better chance to show his potential on Thursday as Button concentrates on ensuring that he's fit for next weekend's US GP.

Nick Heidfeld set the pace at Silverstone, lapping in 1m21.425s. The team once again tried low-downforce set-ups in preparation for the race at Indy as well as some tyre testing for Bridgestone.

"It was interesting driving round Silverstone with the very low downforce set-up," said Heidfeld.

Giancarlo Fisichella was second fastest for Jordan over two seconds behind the German. Renault's Fernando Alonso was next up, a further tenth back.

Ferrari continued its pre-US GP preparations at its Mugello test facility, where test drivers Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti were once again in action. Both drivers were in this year's F2002 car, and carried out simultaneous tyre and electronic software programmes.

Badoer was the quicker of the two, lapping the Italian track in 1m22.159s compared to Burti's best of 1m24.712s.

The team was joined at the track by fellow Italians Minardi, who gave a second F1 test to Sergey Zlobin. The Russian did 35 laps in last year's PS01, but was over 10 seconds off the Ferraris' pace.

"It is the first time that I have tested at this circuit," said Zlobin, "and I soon realised how much harder it is to drive on the track surface here compared to that at Fiorano [where he drove car before]. I am very happy to have been able to test here, however, because I'm learning more about the car and how to control it in different conditions. It has been a positive day."


Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas B 1m21.425s 70
Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Honda B 1m23.502s 69
Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m23.688s 47
Jenson Button Renault M 1m23.944s 19
Oliver Gavin Renault M 1m26.270s 19


Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m22.159s 56
Luciano Burti Ferrari B 1m24.712s 43
Sergey Zlobin Minardi-Asiatech M 1m35.678s 45

M = Michelin
B = Bridgestone