Coulthard Goes Quickest at Barcelona

Scot David Coulthard set the fastest time on the third day of this week's test at the Barcelona circuit in Spain.

The Red Bull driver continued working at the wheel of the RB01 as the Austrian-owned squad wait for their 2005 challenger, expected to make its track debut next month.

Coulthard outpaced both the Williams of Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld, who once more went head to head as they continue to battle for the remaining racing seat, alongside Mark Webber, at the BMW-powered squad.

Brazilian Pizzonia emerged clearly ahead of Heidfeld with a late lap of 1:16.230 that put him over seven tenths ahead of the German driver.

Frenchman Olivier Panis, who announced his retirement from Formula One racing at the end of last season, was back at the wheel in his new post of test driver for the Toyota team. The veteran was the busiest man on track, with 103 laps.

Panis outpaced both teammates Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher, who continued putting miles in the new TF105. The German was, for the third consecutive day, the slowest driver on track.

Rubens Barrichello replaced World Champion Michael Schumacher in the sole Ferrari in action at the Circuit de Catalunya. The Brazilian driver covered 56 laps on his way to the seventh quickest time of the day, over a second behind Coulthard.

Testing at Barcelona concludes tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Coulthard Red Bull-Cosworth (M) 1:16.134 64 2. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:16.230 44 3. Heidfeld Williams-BMW (M) 1:16.954 44 4. Panis Toyota (M) 1:17.019 103 5. Klien Red Bull-Cosworth (M) 1:17.035 76 6. Trulli Toyota (M) 1:17.335 77 7. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:17.400 56 8. R.Schumacher Toyota (M) 1:17.884 71 All Timing Unofficial

View today's Full Laptimes from the Barcelona track

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