Gene Sets the Pace at Valencia - Day Two

Williams test driver Marc Gene topped the timesheets on the second day of testing at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain.

The Spanish driver continued working on the development of the BMW-powered FW24, completing a total of 87 laps to finish more than three tenths of a second ahead of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella with the Jordan.

The Silverstone-based team began today a three-day programme, and the Roman finished ahead of the other man who joined the test today, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was involded in the only incident of the day when he lost control of his car at the Doohan turn.

Despite the financial problems of his Arrows team, the German driver was able to began their preparations for the upcoming French Grand Prix, working at the wheel of the A23 chassis, outpacing Renault test driver Fernando Alonso, who was quickest on Tuesday.

"We had a good day," said Alonso. "Most of all, I'm pleased to have done so many laps - it's the first time this year that I've completed this kind of distance."

The Spaniard worked on a new development programme aimed at next year's car, also putting more mileage on the new bodywork that made its debut at the British Grand Prix last weekend, and setting the fourth quickest time of the session.

German Nick Heidfeld finished at the bottom of the timesheets for the second consecutive day with the Petronas-powered Sauber. Despite the position, the Swiss squad were pleased with their day's work.

"This morning we continued the aerodynamic test program that we began yesterday focussing mainly on configuring the car for Magny-Cours and the French Grand Prix next week," said Sauber's head of the test team Giampaolo Dall´Ara at the end of the day.

"We completed this program and this afternoon switched our attention to further electronic systems work and tire comparison testing, also for Magny Cours. We had a successful day and are pleased with our progress."

Testing will resume tomorrow at Valencia.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:12.643 87 2. Fisichella Jordan-Honda (B) 1:12.960 63 3. Frentzen Arrows-Cosworth (B) 1:13.214 73 4. Alonso Renault (M) 1:13.605 93 5. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:13.914 92 All Timing Unofficial

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