Barcelona day 2: Ferrari on top

Cristiano da Matta was delighted to complete his stint in Barcelona third quickest for Toyota before handing over to team-mate Olivier Panis tomorrow, although the Brazilian was realistic about the potential of his time. "It's very nice to see beautiful times on the sheet," said da Matta. " At the same time I know we don't know what the other teams are doing.

"We have managed to find a good balance for Barcelona, something we didn't manage in Valencia. We definitely have more grip overall. I'm quite happy here but it will be different for different circuits. By the time the season starts I will have experience of nine of the 16 circuits."

Jarno Trulli and Renault were fourth fastest with the new R23, just two tenths of second slower than the Toyota ahead of Jenson Button (BAR) and Nick Heidfeld (Sauber).

Both Williams drivers, Ralf Schumacher and Juan-Pablo Montoya, got sensible time behind the wheel of the new FW25 today although neither was prepared to say too much about the car's potential until it runs in its full 2003-specification aerodynamic package.

"We will find out much more about the car at Valencia next week," said Ralf Schumacher. "It is a totally new concept and of course we still have a long way to go."

BAR-Honda drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Button both endured engine failures and the 1997 world champion in particular was said to be both unhappy with his pace and reliability. Today was the first time that Villeneuve has been out-paced by Button since the pair began testing this year.

Rubens Barrichello Ferrari B 1m16.900s 64
Michael Schumacher Ferrari B 1m17.282s 88
Cristiano de Matta Toyota M 1m17.563s 77*
Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m17.778s 54*
Jenson Button BAR-Honda B 1m17.826s 66*
Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas B 1m17.907s 94*
Antonio Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth M 1m18.079s 41*
Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m18.342s 68*
Juan-Pablo Montoya WilliamsF1 BMW M 1m18.511s 41
Ralf Schumacher WilliamsF1 BMW M 1m18.725s 62*
Allan McNish Renault M 1m19.203s 64*
Juan-Pablo Montoya WilliamsF1 BMW M 1m19.735s 17*

B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* denotes 2003 car