F1 testing: Coulthard gets the hammer down

Both Coulthard and Barrichello concentrated on tuning their cars in to Bridgestone's 2001-spec tyres, Coulthard running in back-to-back stints of 15 laps each. The Scot also practiced starts at the end of the pitlane and, despite seemingly flooring the throttle, drove away both times with little or no wheelspin. Perfect throttle control or preparations for the return of traction control...?

Barichello struck trouble this morning, stopping twice due to technical problems: "I think it's the hydraulics," said the Brazilian. He lapped in 1m15.37s this afternoon, but was slower than both Coulthard and McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz, who lapped in 1m15.19s to be second quickest.

Wurz has been running with aerodynamic updates on his MP4-15 today. He suffered an off through the Turn 8 gravel trap this morning while circulating in close proximity to Coulthard.

Jos Verstappen tested for Arrows and was fourth quickest on 1m16.05s. Pedro de la Rosa will take over on Friday - he attended a cable industry and internet business conference in Berlin, Germany today.

Ricardo Zonta outpaced Jordan's regular driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen, although the latter suffered with a brake problem this afternoon. The Brazilian beat the German by a tenth of a second.

In Barcelona, the Michelin test continued with Ralf Schumacher setting a scintillating 1m20.457s lap in his Williams-BMW, which is half a second quicker than his brother's pole position time for this year's Spanish Grand Prix.

Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella was a tad slower than yesterday, lapping in 1m20.911s and closely challenged in the afternoon by Jaguar's Eddie Irvine on 1m20.968s. Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams just shaded the Benetton of Jenson Button by 0.084s to be fourth quickest.

Formula 3000 star Fernando Alonso made a surprise appearance for Benetton after lunch, lapping in 1m23.010s. His former rival Enrique Bernoldi got his chance to prove himself at Prost, lapping within three-tenths of Jean Alesi. Looking on was Pedro Diniz, who attended his first test in a management capacity at Prost.

Testing continues tomorrow at both Barcelona and Valencia, and Autosport.com will keep you right up to date with what happens.


1 David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m14.73s
2 Alexander Wurz (McLaren-Mercedes) 1m15.19s
3 Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) 1m15.37s
5 Jos Verstappen (Arrows-AMT) 1m16.05s
4 Ricardo Zonta (Jordan-Honda) 1m16.45s
6 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Jordan-Honda) 1m16.55s


1 Ralf Schumacher (Williams-BMW) 1m20.457s
2 Giancarlo Fisichella (Benetton-Renault) 1m20.911s
3 Eddie Irvine (Jaguar) 1m20.968s
4 Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams-BMW) 1m21.106s
5 Jenson Button (Benetton-Renault) 1m21.182s
6 Marc Gene (Williams-BMW) 1m22.713s
7 Luciano Burti (Jaguar) 1m22.793s
8 Fernando Alonso (Benetton-Renault) 1m23.010s
9 Jean Alesi (Prost-Peugeot) 1m23.329s
10 Enrique Bernoldi (Prost-Peugeot) 1m23.688s