Fisichella Tops the Times at Barcelona - Day Two

Giancarlo Fisichella finished at the top of the times on the second consecutive day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

The Sauber driver began his team's preparations for the upcoming French Grand Prix, completing a total of 104 laps to finish less than a tenth of a second ahead of Spaniard Fernando Alonso.

"We focused our programme today on the evaluation of a new front and a new rear wing resulting from our latest wind tunnel work," said Sauber's race engineer Mike Krack. "As the tests went well we will use both parts for the race in Magny-Cours next week.

"On top of this we worked with Bridgestone on the tyre construction for Silverstone and the following races. Tomorrow Felipe will verify those data and also tests for us different Bridgestone tyre compounds. Additionally we have scheduled more aerodynamic checks."

Alonso also got back to work today following last weekend's United States Grand Prix, and Renault worked with both the Spaniard and French test driver Franck Montagny, who was fifth quickest after 108 laps in the second R24.

"We had a very good first day in Barcelona. Both cars ran without any problems and completed their planned programmes," said Renault's chief test engineer Christian Silk. "Franck found some good developments on the tyre side, while Fernando's set-up work also yielded some useful lessons.

"On the engine side, we have been preparing for the transition to the new qualifying format ahead of Silverstone, and have experienced no difficulties at all. It has been an encouraging start to our week's work."

Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer, who was the only driver at Barcelona on Tuesday, continued today with the tyre testing programme at the wheel of the F2004 car. The Italian, like all drivers at the Spanish circuit today, covered well over 100 laps on his way to the third quickest time of the day.

Jaguar's Mark Webber completed over two Grand Prix distances on his first day of work at Barcelona, the Australian and Swede Bjorn Wirdheim carrying out testing duties for the Ford-owned squad. Webber finished fourth while Wirdheim was slowest.

Testing at Barcelona resumes tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Fisichella Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:16.903 104 2. Alonso Renault (M) 1:16.974 100 3. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:17.001 119 4. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:17.025 135 5. Montagny Renault (M) 1:17.672 108 6. Wirdheim Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:17.880 100 All Timing Unofficial

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