Barrichello Flies, Alonso Impresses at Silverstone

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello set a blistering pace on the final day of testing at the Silverstone circuit, where the Ferrari driver was less than two tenths of a second slower than the current track record at the wheel of the F2002.

Barrichello continued working on set-up work for the British Grand Prix in July, completing a total of 58 laps with a fastest time of 1:20.593, set when the track was dry, as the rain again hampered the progress of the teams present at the track.

Scot Allan McNish was second fastest, the Toyota driver concentrating on tyre testing for French tyre manufacturer Michelin. Despite the weather, McNish was happy with the progress made at the British track throughout the day.

"It was another day fragmented by the weather," McNish said. "We continued to try and get our tyre test done and in the end we did a limited programme. However things are shaping up well and the car was feeling good today.

"Personally it has been nice to be back on home soil and I am looking forward to the next few races."

Renault test driver Fernando Alonso tried out Jaguar's R3 Formula One car at the wet and windy circuit, and he was fourth quickest. The Spaniard did not talk to reporters afterwards but a Jaguar spokesman described the session as 'a healthy day's work' with the 20-year-old completing 54 laps.

The Spaniard, who drove for Minardi last season and is eager to return to racing, was made available to Jaguar as a benchmark for comparisons with their own young drivers. Alonso was impressive, outpacing Jaguar driver Pedro de la Rosa.

The Renault team took advantage of the conditions to conduct wet and intermediate tyre development programmes for Michelin, whilst also conducting set-up work aimed at next weekend's race in Canada, and the forthcoming British Grand Prix.

Both Italian Jarno Trulli and Briton Jenson Button also continued electronic systems development on both cars.

"Although the weather has meant we haven't done as much running as we would have liked this week, we are nevertheless pleased with what we have achieved," said Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne. "We have established base-line set-ups for Canada and Silverstone, as well as conducting useful development of electronic systems."

After two days of work with Brazilian Felipe Massa at the wheel, the Sauber team's testing duties were carried out by Nick Heidfeld, who replaced his teammate as the Swiss squad continued their preparations for the Canadian Grand Prix next week.

The German, who posted the 12th quickest time of the day, suffered a bizarre incident, hitting a bird with his helmet.

"The most interesting part of my day was when I hit a black bird or a crow just before Bridge corner," said Heidfeld. "It just flew straight into my helmet. But when I came into the garage to check the car, everything was OK.

"The rest of the day was not easy. The circuit would dry out. You'd make a change to the car and then as soon as you went out to try it, it would start to rain again. Every other time the circuit was clear there would be a red flag. Ironically the best time of the day was between 1 and 2 pm which was the lunch break."

Mika Salo was 15th quickest in the second of the Toyotas, the Finn concentrating on aerodynamic work at the wheel of the Michelin-shod TF102.

"We have again been affected by the rain today," said Salo. "Between the showers we managed to complete our aerodynamic programme for Canada. We collected all the necessary data and the new front and rear wing assemblies are looking good. I enjoy Montreal and I think the car should go relatively well round there."

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:20.593 58 2. McNish Toyota (M) 1:22.218 50 3. Bernoldi Arrows-Cosworth (B) 1:22.732 42 4. Alonso Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:22.784 54 5. De la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:22.824 34 6. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:22.874 48 7. Sato Jordan-Honda (B) 1:23.054 54 8. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.263 55 9. Button Renault (M) 1:23.268 52 10. Trulli Renault (M) 1:23.327 33 11. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:23.484 43 12. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:23.947 41 13. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:24.062 74 14. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:24.634 37 15. Salo Toyota (M) 1:24.756 34 16. Lemarie BAR-Honda (B) 1:26.144 2 All Timing Unofficial

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