DC on Top in France as Takagi Returns - Day Three

McLaren drivers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen dominated the third day of testing at the short version of the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

After working on the long version of the circuit for the first two days, the teams present were in action at the much shorter track, and Scot Coulthard finished nearly half a second ahead of teammate Raikkonen, as both men continued with the development of the Mercedes-powered car.

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen was third quickest in the only Arrows on track, the Leafield-based team joining the Paul Ricard test today. Brazilian Felipe Massa, who was replaced on Wednesday by teammate Nick Heidfeld, returned to work today, setting the fourth quickest time with the Sauber.

"It was fun to use a completely different style of circuit today, even though we were still at the same venue," said Massa. "I like testing here; it's a good track and the consistency of the weather allowed us to get a great deal of work done."

"One of the pleasures of testing here is the ability to modify the track layout, so today all the teams agreed to try the shorter course with more corners as valuable simulation for Monte Carlo," added Sauber's head of vehicle engineering Jacky Eeckelaert. "Our main focus was on aerodynamic set-ups for Monaco. We completed that programme satisfactorily, and are very happy about that.

"Felipe also tried some revised suspension components and several different mechanical set-ups, and at the end of the day we also completed a brief but effective tyre programme with Bridgestone."

Japanese driver Tora Takagi, who left Formula One at the end of 1999 after two seasons with Tyrrell and Arrows, was back behind the wheel of a Grand Prix car today, testing for the Toyota team alongside Finn Mika Salo.

"The last time I drove in F1 was two years ago," said Takagi. "For me this was an exciting experience and it is incredible just how much F1 technology has changed in that time. I want to say thanks to Toyota for giving me chance to drive today. It was good fun and very different to CART."

The CART driver worked with the Michelin-shod TF102 and was nearly two seconds slower than Salo after 106 laps. According to the team, Takagi drove for them "as part of a plan aimed at bringing together the corporation's worldwide motorsport activities."

"We tested Michelin tyres today in preparation for next week's race," added Salo, who was fifth quickest. "We have been on this shorter version of the track today, and some of the slow corners are similar to those in Monaco.

"It has been a productive day and testing with other teams, it is the first time we have tested at our home circuit with so much rubber down on the track."

Testing at the French track will conclude tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:13.342 105 2. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:13.828 75 3. Frentzen Arrows-Cosworth (B) 1:14.157 92 4. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:14.291 100 5. Salo Toyota (M) 1:15.019 57 6. Takagi Toyota (M) 1:16.958 106 All Timing Unofficial

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