Heidfeld Continues on Top in Barcelona (Morning Session)

German driver Nick Heidfeld was once again on top of the time sheets after the morning session on the third and final day of testing at the Barcelona circuit.

After setting the fastest time on Tuesday, the new Sauber recruit lapped more than two tenths quicker to be the first and only driver to get under the one minute twenty seconds barrier.

His best lap of 1:19.965, set under perfect weather conditions, was more than a second faster than last season's pole position during the Spanish Grand Prix, set by World Champion Michael Schumacher.

David Coulthard was second fastest with the first of the McLarens, but a distant six tenths of a second behind Heidfeld's time. The Scot led a group of five drivers covered by a mere two tenths.

The Sauber team's good form was highlighted by Kimi Raikkonen's third fastest time during the morning, despite an electrical failure at the end of the session.

Olivier Panis, who didn't test on Tuesday, got back to work with the BAR team, setting the fourth fastest time, more than half a second faster than teammate Jacques Villeneuve, who completed more laps than anyone else with a total of 47.

Panis caused the session to be red-flagged during the last part of the morning, when he spun off the track and was not able to rejoin the track.

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was fifth quickest, with the Jordans of Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen right behind the Brazilian.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:19.956 2. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:20.544 3. Raikkonen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:20.606 4. Panis BAR-Honda (B) 1:20.610 5. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:20.648 6. Trulli Jordan-Honda (B) 1:20.766 7. Frentzen Jordan-Honda (B) 1:20.984 8. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:21.195 9. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.378 All Timing Unofficial