Frentzen Quickest at Silverstone - Day One

Only 48 hours after the San Marino Grand Prix, the Formula One teams kicked off their final testing session before the re-introduction of electronic aids at the Spanish Grand Prix on April 29.

Six Formula One teams - Williams, McLaren, BAR, Jordan, Prost and Jaguar - were present today at the Silverstone circuit, on a very cold day with temperatures reaching seven degrees Celsius. Fortunately for the teams the track stayed dried during the session.

Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen was fastest on today's session at the wheel of the EJ11, lapping more than six tenths quicker than McLaren's test driver Alexander Wurz. The Austrian was joined by Briton Darren Turner, who drove last year's MP4-15, posting the sixth fastest time.

Japanese driver Takuma Sato returned to testing duties with the British American Racing team, setting the third quickest time after 65 laps. Sato worked on a new exhaust system for the Honda engine.

Pedro de la Rosa was also back in action with the Jaguar team after a month without driving. The Spaniard worked on the traction control system and set the fourth fastest time of the day, running 37 laps. De la Rosa edged Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who was the only driver present for the Williams team, winners of the San Marino Grand Prix.

Brazilian Luciano Burti on the second Jaguar, and Argentine Gaston Mazzacane at the wheel of the Prost, were seventh and eighth respectively.

Testing and Silverstone will resume on Wednesday.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Frentzen Jordan-Honda (B) 1:23.008 2. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:23.618 3. Sato BAR-Honda (B) 1:23.926 4. De la Rosa Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:24.864 5. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:25.149 6. Turner McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:25.641 7. Burti Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:25.663 8. Mazzacane Prost-Acer (M) 1:25.827 All Timing Unofficial