F1 testing round up: Schuey gets back to work

Schumacher completed his first running since last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, which marked the return of driver aids including traction and launch control.

"We want to be as prepared as possible for the Austrian Grand Prix," said Schumacher. "In Barcelona [at the Spanish GP] we acquired lots of useful data on electronics and we want to develop a few ideas which came out of that. It means that private testing is becoming ever more sophisticated."

Despite interruptions from several rain showers, the triple world champ completed 71 laps and set a best lap of 59.932s, which was 0.372s shy of the lap record set by team mate Rubens Barrichello on Wednesday.

Test driver Luca Badoer was also on hand at the Italian circuit and finished the day just over a second behind Schumacher. Formula 1 minnow Minardi also fielded a car for Fernando Alonso and the young Spaniard was able to complete 45 laps, albeit more than five seconds off the pace.

At Valencia the remaining Michelin teams completed a day of testing behind closed doors at the Spanish circuit. No times were issued and tankers were used to spray the twisty track, allowing teams to complete wet weather tyre development work. Williams, Prost, Jaguar and Benetton all took part in the test.


1 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, B 59.932s
2 Luca Badoer, Ferrari, B 1m.01.0231
3 Fernando Alonso, Minardi-European B 1m.05.212s