Badoer Quickest at Wet Imola - Final Day

Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer finished on top of the timesheets on the third and final day of testing at the Imola circuit, where the teams present had to run on a wet track all day following a constant rain throughout the session.

World Champions Ferrari completed today their three-day programme, again with Italian Badoer at the wheel of the F2003-GA. Badoer, who yesterday crashed out of the session and today went off the track in one of several incidents, concentrated on tyre testing for Bridgestone, completing 55 laps on his way to the fastest time of the session.

Renault's Jarno Trulli was second quickest in the R24, while his Spanish teammate Fernando Alonso finished fifth in the second car from the French squad.

Giancarlo Fisichella was third fastest in the Sauber C23, as the Italian worked on the set-up of the Petronas-powered car. His teammate Felipe Massa, testing Bridgestone tyres, finished right behind him.

"It may sound strange, but we were lucky that it was raining in the morning and the track was wet all day long," said Sauber's engineer Jacky Eeckelaert. "During our whole pre-season testing this was the only rainy day and thus the only opportunity for us to gather data under these specific conditions.

"Felipe tested different wet tyre compounds, while Giancarlo focused on various set-ups, and I can say that we learnt a lot.

"Overall this final pre-season test was a perfect preparation for the Australian Grand Prix. We were able to improve the set-up of the car, and our tyre partner Bridgestone also made a step forward, which is very encouraging."

The Jordan team completed their programme today, Italian Giorgio Pantano outpacing teammate Nick Heidfeld after 52 laps. Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner replaced teammate Gianmaria Bruni at the wheel of the only Minardi on track and finished almost eight seconds off the pace.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:31.076 55 2. Trulli Renault (M) 1:31.346 28 3. Fisichella Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:32.406 48 4. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:32.662 51 5. Alonso Renault (M) 1:33.147 48 6. Pantano Jordan-Ford (B) 1:35.341 52 7. Heidfeld Jordan-Ford (B) 1:35.502 29 8. Baumgartner Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:39.044 54 All Timing Unofficial

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