Herbert leads the way at Jerez

The British star was driving for Stewart - to be renamed Jaguar for 2000 - and set a fastest time of 1.23.097 after completing 96 laps of yesterday's session.

Former team-mate and new Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello was second quickest with a time of 1.23.183, after also lapping the Spanish circuit 96 times.

A Ferrari spokesman was pleased with the team's preparation for 2000.

'The good weather conditions in the morning meant that Rubens Barrichello was able to get throught a considerable amount of work on the set-up of the F399,' he said.

'The afternoon programme of brake and tyre testing went according to plan.'

McLaren's David Coulthard was third quickest (1.23.459), ahead of Stewart test-driver Luciano Burti (1.23.577).

New McLaren tester Olivier Panis was fifth after completing 62 laps, with Sauber duo Mika Salo and Pedro Diniz following him.

BAR driver Jacques Villenueve was eighth, with Williams pilot Jorg Muller in final place, having only completed 16 laps.

Villeneuve was testing the new Honda engine in preparation for next season.

The Japanese marque's research and development managing director, Takefumi Hosaka, said, 'At this test we have achieved many good things and gathered a great deal of important data.

'As we would expect, there are a few technical problems that must be solved, but the drivers and the team are extremely pleased.

'We are on the right track with our 2000 preparations.'