Badoer Fastest at Mugello - Day One

Italian test driver Luca Badoer set the fastest time of the first day of testing at the Mugello circuit, where two teams kicked off their preparations for the Japanese Grand Prix, the final race of the 2003 season.

Ferrari driver Badoer, concentrating on a tyre development programme for Bridgestone, completed 74 laps at the wheel of the F2003-GA car, outpacing his Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari. Massa covered just 18 laps to finish almost a second behind Badoer.

The BAR-Honda team were the only other squad on track today, with both test drivers Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson. Japanese Sato escaped injury following a heavy crash after having completed 77 laps with the 005 chassis.

Sato banged his lower left leg in the crash. He was checked over by medical staff at the circuit and, as a precaution, was taken to the nearby Borgo San Lorenzo hospital for a routine X-ray.

The car suffered some slight bodywork and suspension damage, but the team said it will be repaired and ready to run tomorrow, when Sato is also expected to be back in the driving seat.

The Japanese star worked alongside Briton Davidson, who was the busiest man today with 87 laps around the Italian circuit. Davidson concentrated on tyre testing for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Testing at Mugello resumes tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:22.689 74 2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:23.600 18 3. Sato BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.940 77 4. Davidson BAR-Honda (B) 1:24.455 87 All Timing Unofficial

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