F1 Teams Back to Work at Barcelona

Five Formula One teams got back to work following Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, kicking off a four-day test at the Barcelona circuit in Spain.

Brazilian Cristiano da Matta was the fastest man in the morning session on the first day of work at the Spanish circuit, setting a promising pace at the wheel of the Toyota TF103 chassis.

The current CART champion, who finished in 11th position in Malaysia, was exactly two tenths of a second faster than Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who continued with the development of the Williams FW25.

The Ferrari team were in action with both Brazilian Rubens Barrichello and Italian Luca Badoer. Barrichello, who will alternate his work at the wheel of the F2002 and the new F2003-GA, finished right behind test driver Badoer and ahead of BAR's tester Takuma Sato at the wheel of the Honda-powered 005.

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa was back in action with the McLaren team after testing for them at Jerez earlier this month. De la Rosa posted the sixth quickest time with the MP4-17D, finishing ahead of compatriot Marc Gene in the second of the Williams on track.

Testing will continue in the afternoon.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:17.531 40 2. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:17.731 41 3. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:17.822 25 4. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:18.234 37 5. Sato BAR-Honda (B) 1:19.319 21 6. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:19.815 32 7. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:20.630 11 All Timing Unofficial

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