Frentzen Sets the Pace at Silverstone - Final Day

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen boosted his chances of competing at the United States Grand Prix next week after posting the quickest time on the final day of testing at the Silverstone circuit.

Frentzen returned to work with the Sauber team today, as the Swiss squad conducted a test in order to see if the German will be able to replace Brazilian Felipe Massa at Indianapolis next week. If Massa competes in the United States, he would lose 10 grid positions after being penalised at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend.

Frentzen, significantly taller than Massa or teammate Nick Heidfeld, adapted quickly to the cockpit of the Sauber and posted the quickest time of the session despite going off the track on the final moments of the session.

Frentzen lost control of his car at the Stowe corner and was taken to the medical center as a precaution after crashing against the barriers. Despite his quick time, however, Sauber are yet to confirm whether the German will race at Indianapolis or not.

"In the morning, we continued our set-up preparation work for Indianapolis, and Heinz-Harald could familiarise himself with the control systems of the C21," said Sauber's technical director Willy Rampf.

"In the afternoon, we completed a quite successful tyre test programme with Bridgestone, also in view of the Indy race."

Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella was second quickest, while Renault's Fernando Alonso and Olivier Gavin finished third and fourth respectively. Alonso undertook tyre development work for the Japanese Grand Prix during the morning, conducting tyre endurance tests during the afternoon.

Gavin, who is standing in for ill Briton Jenson Button, completed a programme of electronics development for next season.

"Another good day to round off a productive week," said Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne. "Both drivers did useful work both for the final two races and next season."

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Frentzen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:21.648 71 2. Fisichella Jordan-Honda (B) 1:22.890 71 3. Alonso Renault (M) 1:23.249 106 4. Gavin Renault (M) 1:24.781 26 All Timing Unofficial

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