F1 testing: United swap Old Trafford for Jerez

Having faced a less-than-potent assault from bottom club Bradford City, who were brushed aside 3-0 on Saturday, the Man U squad had the more exciting sight of Ferrari, British American Racing and Sauber to behold on Monday. Minus stars David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, the latter a seasoned Paddock Club spectator, the football stars had four cars to watch at the circuit in southern Spain.

Luca Badoer represented Ferrari, although his running was halted when his F1-2000 ground to a smoky halt in the afternoon session. Despite the drama, and with two cars at his disposal, the Italian got through the most laps and set the quickest time.

Olivier Panis put more laps on BAR's new 03 chassis and set the second fastest time, three-tenths slower than Badoer, while newly-appointed test driver Takuma Sato had his second taste of last year's car and was only four-tenths off his French colleague.

Nick Heidfeld was ensconced in Sauber's new Petronas-powered C20, as Kimi Raikkonen waits for his car to be completed at the Swiss team's Hinwil base, although the Finn is expected to get a run later this week. The German was the slowest of the cars to test, but only completed 20 laps and used a new 2001-spec front wing for the first time.

United return to Spain in a month's time to take on last year's beaten finalists Valencia in the European Champions League.


1 Luca Badoer (Ferrari F1-2000) 1m24.04s 70 laps
2 Olivier Panis (BAR 03-Honda) 1m24.37s 42 laps
3 Takuma Sato (BAR 02-Honda) 1m24.78s 57 laps
4 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber C20-Petronas) 1m25.45s 20 laps