McLaren Duo Fastest at Silverstone - Day Two
The McLaren team dominated the second day of testing at the Silverstone circuit, where seven teams are carrying out their preparations for next week's Spanish Grand Prix, where the electronic aids will be re-introduced in Formula One for the first time since 1993.
The McLaren team dominated the second day of testing at the Silverstone circuit, where seven teams are carrying out their preparations for next week's Spanish Grand Prix, where the electronic aids will be re-introduced in Formula One for the first time since 1993.
On another very cold day, Mika Hakkinen was fastest, edging team mate David Coulthard at the wheel of the Mercedes-powered MP4-16, both drivers testing their traction control and launch systems, completing 61 and 27 laps respectively.
Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen, fastest on the first day, was third on today's session, at the wheel of the EJ11 with non-tobacco livery. The German driver was nearly a second behind Hakkinen's time.
San Marino Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher joined the Williams team today and posted the fourth quickest time.
"We just did traction control testing today as nothing else was possible due to the cold weather conditions," said Schumacher. "Also because of the weather the circuit changed frequently. Unfortunately I don't think the weather is going to change very much tomorrow."
Schumacher ended the day ahead of both BAR drivers Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve. The Frenchman lost some valuable track time due to mechanical problems affecting his Honda-powered 003.
Schumacher's team mate Juan Pablo Montoya, who began testing on Tuesday, was seventh, in front of Luciano Burti at the wheel of the Jaguar. The Brazilian, who announced he will be replaced by Pedro de la Rosa next year, outpaced team mate Eddie Irvine on the second Jaguar.
The struggling Benetton team joined the session on Wednesday after missing the first day of testing, with Italian Giancarlo Fisichella being only faster than the Prosts of Jean Alesi and new test driver Jonathan Cochet, who made his Formula One debut today.
Testing at Silverstone will conclude tomorrow.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.45 2. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.76 3. Frentzen Jordan-Honda (B) 1:23.31 4. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:23.63 5. Panis BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.82 6. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.95 7. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:24.16 8. Burti Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:24.32 9. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:24.44 10. Fisichella Benetton-Renault (M) 1:24.91 11. Alesi Prost-Acer (M) 1:26.19 12. Cochet Prost-Acer (M) 1:27.88 All Timing Unofficial
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