Barcelona test, day 3: More Mc'anical McNiggles…

The Mercedes-powered squad has not completed a day's running this week without the failure of either an engine or a gearbox - or both. Today was no different, with Mika Hakkinen's MP4-16 needing a new gearbox, and test driver Alex Wurz being held up by an engine change.

The car that Hakkinen and David Coulthard hope will enable them to take the fight to world champions Ferrari has yet to complete a race distance since it was launched three weeks ago.

Hakkinen attempted to carry out three runs of 20 laps at Barcelona today (Friday) and started the first run from a standing start on the Catalan circuit's long pit straight. However, after just one lap, the Finn's running was brought to a halt by a faulty gearbox, which is in fact the same unit that was used on last year's car. But despite obvious niggling problems in the McLaren camp, Hakkinen was in upbeat mood.

"I was more concerned yesterday [when my engine blew], but I feel better today," said the double world champion. "I'm in a much more positive mood and ready for Australia. I don't know about the competition, but over the past few years McLaren has produced a winning car, so I would be very surprised if this one is not a winner."

Wurz set the fastest time of the day at 1m19.91s in last year's car fitted with 2001-spec running gear. While quick, the Austrian's time was still 1.5s behind the fastest lap set by Rubens Barrichello at the beginning of the month.

Wurz's time was set with a heavy fuel load and the 27-year-old was experimenting with various tyre compounds for Bridgestone. Wurz declared himself very pleased with the results. However, running was delayed when his Mercedes V10 expired, necessitating the third engine change is as many days.

The McLaren race team was at Silverstone yesterday to brush up on pit stops with Coulthard before the first race. After the team's recent reliability problems, one unkind wag observed: "There's really no need for them to practice - the cars aren't going to make it as far as the first pit-stop."


Alex Wurz, McLaren-Mercedes, B (2000) 1m19.91s, 78 laps
Mika Hakkinen, McLaren-Mercedes, B 1m19.97s, 75 laps