Alonso Sets Blistering Pace at Barcelona

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso set a blistering pace on the first day of testing at the Barcelona circuit in Northern Spain.

The Renault driver, benefitting from the new aerodynamic package introduced today in the Michelin-shod R23 chassis, was nearly three seconds faster than his closest rival. Alonso's fastest lap of 1:15.971 was, however, more than nine tenths of a second slower than the track record set by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher earlier this month.

Alonso outpaced Renault teammate Jarno Trulli by almost a whole three seconds. The Italian, who tested with the old aerodynamic package, completed a total of 61 laps despite his car coming to a halt at the end of the pits during the afternoon session. Renault also worked with test driver Allan McNish, who finished at the bottom of the times.

"A reasonably productive first day testing at Barcelona, although the cold and damp weather conditions made it a little difficult for drivers and cars to run," said Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne. "Jarno Trulli carried out race simulation in the old-spec R23, which he successfully completed.

"While Fernando ran for the first time the new aero-package in the R23 and managed fairly competitive times given the conditions. Allan worked on suspension development on last year's car. Hopefully we will have some warmer temperatures for the rest of the test."

The Jordan team were in action with both their drivers today after introducing the second EJ13 chassis at the Spanish circuit. Giancarlo Fisichella and Briton Ralph Firman continued with the development of the Ford-powered car, with the Italian finishing slightly ahead of the rookie.

Firman set an impressive time in only his second test with the Silverstone-based team despite enduring a troubled day, first suffering a mechanical failure in the morning and then going off the track in the afternoon. The Briton was the busiest man today with 68 laps.

"It was a normal testing day, we added quite a few miles to the EJ13 and are beginning to understand more about the car and how to make it work best on the tyres," said Jordan's head of engineering Gary Anderson.

Testing at Barcelona continues tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Alonso Renault (M) 1:15.971 46 2. Trulli Renault (M) 1:18.860 61 3. Fisichella Jordan-Ford (B) 1:19.150 35 4. Firman Jordan-Ford (B) 1.19.456 68 5. McNish Renault (M) 1:21.326 49 All Timing Unofficial

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