Ferrari Duo Dominate at Mugello

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello and test driver Luca Badoer gave their Ferrari team a boost ahead of the debut of the new F2003-GA car by topping the times on the second day of testing at the Mugello circuit in Italy.

The World Champions, who are expected to race their new car at the Spanish Grand Prix next week, dominated today's session, with Brazilian Barrichello finishing almost a whole second ahead of Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen in the fastest of the two McLarens on track.

Italian Badoer, who was the only man on track for Ferrari yesterday, completed a positive day for the Maranello-based outfit by posting the second fastest time less than a tenth of a second behind Barrichello.

Frenchman Olivier Panis was fourth fastest with the Toyota TF103, as the Japanese squad continued with their preparations for the race in Barcelona. Panis was joined today by Brazilian teammate Cristiano da Matta, who finished right behind him after a massive 92 laps.

"Last time I visited this circuit was back in 1996 in Formula 3000, so I completely rediscovered the track this morning," admitted da Matta. "It's quite a demanding circuit with a variance in altitude of more than 40 meters and 15 corners in total.

"I enjoyed very much this first day, and we managed some good and productive work. The technical programme comprised a lot of general items, and we will go more into details of Spanish Grand Prix preparations tomorrow."

The Jaguar team were back in testing action today, with Australian Mark Webber at the wheel. The Milton Keynes outfit, one of the four teams who had opted for Friday testing, spent the second of 20 days they have to test throughout the year. Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia had already spent one day at the Silverstone circuit prior to the San Marino Grand Prix.

Webber was sixth fastest, outpacing German Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the only Sauber on track.

"Like yesterday our test schedule basically comprised testing new aerodynamic parts and working on tyre data," explained Sauber's head engineer Jacky Eeckelaert. "On one hand we have focused today on the data verification of the wind tunnel tests, on the other we have worked on the aerodynamic for Barcelona.

"We have also checked again the Bridgestone data in order to confirm our previous tyre selection. Overall, the car ran well and we are satisfied with what we could achieve today. Despite another engine failure in the morning we were able to carry out nearly the complete programme."

The BAR team joined the session today with both Canadian Jacques Villeneuve and Briton Jenson Button, both finishing at the lower end of the timesheets with the Honda-powered car.

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, who replaced Alex Wurz after the Austrian felt unwell yesterday, was ninth fastest in the second McLaren MP4-17D.

Testing at Mugello continues tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:21.661 78 2. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:21.714 80 3. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:22.656 77 4. Panis Toyota (M) 1:23.060 47 5. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:23.662 92 6. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:23.710 52 7. Frentzen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:23.811 70 8. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.847 92 9. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:24.005 95 10. Button BAR-Honda (B) 1:24.675 52 All Timing Unofficial

Visit Atlas F1's Testing Center for further information