Gene on Top Again at Monza - Day Two

Williams test driver Marc Gene was quickest for the second consecutive day at the Monza circuit, where six teams are carrying out their preparations for the upcoming Canadian and European Grands Prix.

Gene posted a fastest lap of 1:22.632 after 79 laps with the BMW-powered FW25, outpacing Briton Anthony Davidson by more than two tenths of a second. Davidson was the fastest of the BAR drivers who were in action at the Italian circuit today, with Takuma Sato and Jacques Villeneuve finishing at the bottom of the times.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello joined test driver Felipe Massa as the Ferrari team tested their F2003-GA car for the first time at Monza. Barrichello drove the new car, which incorporated a new aerodynamic package, and posted the third fastest time, while Massa was fourth quickest with the old F2002.

The Sauber team continued with their testing programme with German Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the wheel of the only C22 chassis on track. The veteran driver posted the fifth fastest time of the session after 81 laps. Frentzen will be replaced by teammate Nick Heidfeld tomorrow.

"In the morning we focused our attention on low downforce testing for Montreal and have conducted an aerodynamic programme with different front wing configurations," explained Sauber's head engineer Jacky Eeckelaert. "Later today we also assessed tyres for the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on 29 June.

"We could complete our test today without any problem. Heinz-Harald Frentzen covered a lot of laps the last two days and delivered a valuable amount of data which we will need to verify together with Nick Heidfeld tomorrow. Part of tomorrow's programme is also the confirmation of our tyre choice for Montreal."

Frenchman Olivier Panis took over from Toyota's test driver Ricardo Zonta, who today travelled to the Silverstone circuit. Panis, driving the Michelin-shod TF103, was sixth quickest after 91 laps.

Testing at Monza will continue tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:22.632 79 2. Davidson BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.850 40 3. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:22.936 76 4. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:23.278 66 5. Frentzen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:23.356 81 6. Panis Toyota (M) 1:23.561 91 7. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:23.615 93 8. Sato BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.937 52 9. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:24.123 43 All Timing Unofficial

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