Hakkinen on Top at Barcelona Despite Problems

Mika Hakkinen replaced teammate David Coulthard on Thursday at the wheel of the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-16 on the second day of testing at the Barcelona circuit, and the Finn was luckier than the Scot, setting the fastest time of the session.

Hakkinen, unlike Coulthard on Wednesday, could complete a full day of work, completing 81 laps with a best time of 1:20.466.

However, both the two-time world champion and McLaren's test driver Alex Wurz continued to struggle with the reliability of the new car, suffering mechanical failures which forced them to stop on track.

Wurz was less than three tenths of a second slower than Hakkinen, while Juan Pablo Montoya, the only other driver at the circuit, set the third quickest time nearly 1.5 seconds behind the McLaren duo.

The Colombian, at the wheel of the new BMW-Williams FW23, completed 75 laps of the final day of preparations for the team before flying to Australia.

McLaren will continue working tomorrow at Barcelona.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:20.466 2. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:20.492 3. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:22.007 All Timing Unofficial