Barrichello Finishes Monza Test on Top

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello posted the quickest time on the final day of testing at the Monza circuit, where all Formula One teams except Arrows were in action throughout the week in order to prepare for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.

The drivers, who today were in action until 12:30pm, had to work on a wet track early in the morning due to some overnight rain, but the circuit dried up and they were able to complete their programmes. Barrichello, who joined the test yesterday, lapped only slightly over a tenth of a second quicker than Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, who continued to show a revived form from the Jaguar team after setting the fastest time yesterday.

Toyota drivers Allan McNish and Mika Salo completed the Japanese squad's test programme, both doing some work on improving the general set-up of the Michelin-shod TF102 car. Both were impressive today, with Salo finishing in third place, slightly ahead of his teammate.

"Today we did a bit of preparation work for qualifying, as well as some Michelin tyre comparisons," said Salo. "We also continued on the aerodynamics work we have been doing all week. Overall the test has been quite positive but the wet weather has limited the time we have had to complete our programme. I hope it stays dry next weekend!"

Brazilian Felipe Massa was again in action for the Sauber team, the rookie trying a number of aerodynamic configurations as well as carrying out brake development work for the Swiss squad. Massa, again driving with the HANS device that the team are planning to use at the Italian Grand Prix, wound up fifth.

"This morning the track was still wet for the first hour following overnight rain," said Sauber's Jacky Eeckelaert, head of engineering. "By the second hour, we were able to run grooved dry-weather Bridgestone tires and to recommence our aerodynamic program.

"Today we ran the car in the optimum aerodynamic configuration, which we arrived at after intensive assessment last night of all the different set-ups we have tried during this four-days test. We are happy with the way the car ran today and are satisfied with the results of our test."

Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia was the quickest of the two cars from the Grove-based squad after Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya suffered an accident during the session. Montoya lost control of his car at the second Lesmo corner, crashing heavily but emerging unscathed. The Colombian finished down in tenth position.

Renault drivers Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button completed the French squad's programme today, but both were off the pace set by Barrichello. Trulli finished eleventh while Button was slowest right behind Malaysian Alex Yoong in the Minardi, who only completed nine laps after being hit by mechanical problems early in the session.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:23.063 50 2. De la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:23.187 27 3. Salo Toyota (M) 1:23.462 30 4. McNish Toyota (M) 1:23.489 24 5. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:23.527 18 6. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:23.674 43 7. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:23.759 44 8. Davidson BAR-Honda (B) 1:24.378 41 9. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:24.721 41 10. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:25.825 21 11. Trulli Renault (M) 1:25.875 49 12. Lemarie BAR-Honda (B) 1:26.437 32 13. Yoong Minardi-Asiatech (M) 1:26.554 9 14. Button Renault (M) 1:26.582 27 All Timing Unofficial

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