Davidson on Top at Rain-Hit Valencia - Day Two

Briton Anthony Davidson posted the quickest time on the second day of testing at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain.

Davidson, driving the BAR-Honda '04 concept car again, set a fastest time of 1:11.940 on a day where the teams' work was hampered by the rain. The track was wet in the morning due to overnight rains, and a rainstorm halfway through the session hit the Spanish circuit to cause more problems for the teams.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, joining the test today, was the only racing driver in action, while the other seven men on track were testers. Barrichello drove Ferrari's F2004 car, but only completed 18 laps on his way to the second quickest time of the day. Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer continued with the F2003-GA, but the Italian could only set a time in the wet and was over 10 seconds off the pace.

Williams' Marc Gene kicked off the Grove team's preparations for the Malaysian Grand Prix today, driving the BMW-powered FW26. The Spaniard was third fastest ahead of Brazilian Ricardo Zonta in the Toyota TF104. The Japanese squad also worked with Australian tester Ryan Briscoe, sixth fastest today.

The Renault team were in action with Frenchman Franck Montagny, who was fifth quickest in the R23B chassis. Montagny carried out the shakedown of power steering developments and also conducted software testing.

"We had a problem-free day," said Renault's chief test engineer Christian Silk. "The conditions were difficult, and Franck coped very well, conducting some useful programmes and producing consistent, quick times in the R23."

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, driving the McLaren MP4-19, finished at the bottom of the times after setting his time in the wet.

Testing continues tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:11.940 73 2. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:12.057 18 3. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:12.099 91 4. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:12.142 57 5. Montagny Renault (M) 1:12.660 55 6. Briscoe Toyota (M) 1:12.922 51 7. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:22.853 30 8. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:22.919 39 Weather: Variable with occasional rain Temperature: 12/22 °C All Timing Unofficial

Visit Atlas F1's Testing Center for further information