Coulthard Sets the Pace Again at Barcelona - Day Three

McLaren driver David Coulthard continued with his promising performance at the Barcelona circuit, topping the timesheets for the second consecutive day of testing at the Spanish track, where nine of the twelve Formula One teams are working this week.

The Scot, driving last year's MP4-16 with Michelin tyres, was unable to match his own pace from yesterday, lapping almost half a second slower today. The teams' work was, once again, hampered by the weather, with rain falling both in the morning and in the last part of the session in the afternoon.

Italian driver Luca Badoer and teammate Luciano Burti again worked at the wheel of the Ferrari F2001, concentrating on tyre testing and development of electronic components. Badoer was second quickest more than half a second slower than Coulthard, while Burti, who drove the Ferrari for the first time on Tuesday, could only set the ninth quickest time as he continued his learning process.

Tomorrow, Badoer will work at Barcelona while the Brazilian will travel back to Italy to start working at Fiorano.

Briton Jenson Button enjoyed a satisfying day at the wheel of the 2001-spec Renault B201, setting the third quickest time after 53 laps. The young driver finished the day in front of former Benetton teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, now driving for the Jordan team. The Silverstone-based squad were the last one to join the test, beginning to work today with Fisichella and Japanese Takuma Sato yesterday.

"It's great to be back testing in a Formula One car and also spend time getting to know the team at Jordan and Honda," said a pleased Sato, who set the 11th fastest time today. "They are all very professional and I'm looking forward to becoming more involved in the team atmosphere."

German Ralf Schumacher was the quickest of the three Williams on track, as the British team continued working with a trio of FW23s. Schumacher was sixth, while teammate Juan Pablo Montoya was down in 15th position. Test driver Marc Gene, who worked once more on the development of the new BMW engine, finished ahead of the Colombian in 13th place.

Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa were again in charge of driving the Saubers, with the German being the fastest of the two. "I had no problems today apart from the weather, which continued to disappoint us by preventing us from completing our programme," said Heidfeld. "The track temperature was too cold this morning to conduct meaningful aero tests, and this afternoon our tyre programme took priority."

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve was at the wheel of BAR 004 for the first time today, as teammate Olivier Panis replaced Anthony Davidson driving the old 003. Villeneuve, who completed 46 laps around the Catalan track, was outpaced by the Frenchman, finishing the day in 12th place.

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa and Irishman Eddie Irvine were 16th and 17th fastest respectively for the Jaguar team, with Irvine driving the new R3. The Cosworth-powered cars could only outpace the Toyota of Allan McNish, who finished the day at the bottom of the timesheets despite being the busiest man on track with 78 laps.

"We have made a lot of progress today with some modifications, which helped the overall grip of the car," said McNish. "Most of the time the track was wet but we ran in the dry for a few laps, which gave us the chance to find out a bit more about the car."

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:21.157 2. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:21.764 3. Button Renault (M) 1:21.780 4. Fisichella Jordan-Honda (B) 1:22.011 5. Trulli Renault (M) 1:22.222 6. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:22.313 7. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:22.349 8. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:22.466 9. Burti Ferrari (B) 1:22.703 10. Panis BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.800 11. Sato Jordan-Honda (B) 1:22.815 12. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.817 13. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:22.949 14. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:22.963 15. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:23.376 16. De la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:23.586 17. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:24.920 18. McNish Toyota (M) 1:25.296 All Timing Unofficial