Barcelona Day 4: Jag makes progress

On the final day of the test at the Spanish circuit, de la Rosa and Australian Mark Webber both ran well over 50 laps each in two of the re-modelled cars as development started in earnest before the its race debut at the British Grand Prix next weekend.

Although the duo propped up the bottom of the time sheets, high winds and differentiating fuel loads rendered out-and-out pace irrelevant as the Milton Keynes-based team began working through set-ups.

"It was a very positive test and the car is definitely getting better," said de la Rosa, who completed 64 laps. "We tried many different things, and although it's early days yet, I'm encouraged."

A Jaguar spokesman added: "It was encouraging but ultimately inconclusive."

The team's progress followed lead driver Eddie Irvine's first exploratory laps in the revised car, which features changed aerodynamic parts including a new nose, bargeboards and undertray.

Minardi driver Webber also impressed during his trial with Jaguar team as he staked his claim for a possible race seat next season. He emerged just 0.03s slower than de la Rosa after running 56 laps

"I was very comfortable in the car, and I'm satisfied with the work I've done today," said Webber. "It's impossible to compare F1 cars, but I enjoyed the experience of trying different machinery. But now focus is turned to racing at Silverstone with Minardi."

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz eventually set the fastest time of the day at the end having taken over from Kimi Raikkonen at 3.00pm. Until that point, Arrows' Heinz-Harald Frentzen was quickest having set a time on low fuel tanks as he finalised the team's preparations for Silverstone.

Renault driver Jenson Button's car spent a good portion of the day in the pits after several components had to be changed following its arduous four-day testing schedule, but the Briton still completed 62 laps and was left confident for his home grand prix.

"We've done a lot of running over these four days," said Button. "We've progressed and it looks good for Silverstone."

BMW.Williams F1's two test drivers Marc Gene and Antonio Pizzonia concentrated on engine and tyre work respectively and clocked up a huge number of miles. Both completed well over 100 laps, with Gene's mark of 140 (two race distances) being estimated as a record for a single day's running at the Catalunya circuit.

Alexander Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m17.60s n/a
Heinz-Harald Frentzen Arrows-Cosworth B 1m18.25s 63
Jenson Button Renault M 1m18.68s 62
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes M 1m18.69s 29
Antonio Pizzonia Williams-BMW M 1m18.77s 101
Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m18.96s 140
Pedro de la Rosa Jaguar M 1m19.69s 64
Mark Webber Jaguar M 1m19.72s 56

M = Michelin
B = Bridgestone