Gene Tops Times at Barcelona - Day Six

Williams's test driver Marc Gene set the fastest time on the sixth consecutive day of testing that the Formula One teams are carrying out at the Barcelona circuit.

Gene, driving the Michelin-shod Williams-BMW FW22 - the only car using the French rubber today - was glad to finish the day on top after working on the engine and tyres development programme.

"This is the happiest day I've had since I joined Williams," admitted Gene. "It's nice to finish your work and see that you are on top. I felt very comfortable in the car, though I didn't push very hard."

The Spanish driver was the protagonist of an interesting physical experiment today, destined to the analysis of the drivers' heart rate while driving a Formula One car. Gene's cardiac frequency was examined by four doctors via telemetry while he was driving around the track.

The Sauber team joined the session today with both their drivers driving the new C20 chassis, and German Nick Heidfeld was second quickest, only two hundredths of a second slower than Gene, despite completing only twelve laps. Meanwhile, teammate Kimi Raikkonen was fourth quickest with the second Sauber.

Jordan's Jarno Trulli completed a total of 69 laps in the EJ11, setting the third quickest time of the day.

Despite launching their new car in London today, the British American Racing team continued working at Barcelona with test driver Darren Manning at the wheel of the new 003 chassis, the Briton setting the fifth fastest time of the session after 85 laps.

The Arrows team was also present at the track, though Dutchman Jos Verstappen, who was expected to test today, was replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, increasing the rumours about the Brazilian driving for the team this season.

Bernoldi set the slowest time of the day, more than two seconds off Gene's best, though he only completed six timed laps.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:21.206 2. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:21.230 3. Trulli Jordan-Honda (B) 1:21.315 4. Raikkonen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:21.942 5. Manning BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.346 6. Bernoldi Arrows-AMT (B) 1:23.581 All Timing Unofficial