Imola 3: Ryan rules in rain

Ferrari took one look at the weather this morning, then packed up and went back to base at Maranello. Their decision proved correct, as the rain steadily worsened throughout the day.

Williams only had half a day's running today, with Juan Pablo Montoya in the car. He still had time to stop twice on track with transmission problems. But a short day had been planned all along, as the team needed to return to Britain to pack up for Melbourne.

Toyota's Ryan Briscoe managed to get something out of today's test however, as he did 51 laps of work on the Michelin wets. Even Briscoe was eventually halted, with an oil pump problem. His day ended around 3pm, after which the circuit was devoid of racing life.



Team-mate Cristiano da Matta was the only other car running today: "We couldn't do much in this weather," he said. "I'd prefer a bit more testing before the season begins."

No team will have that luxury, as equipment will shortly be loaded for Melbourne. The exhausting winter testing championship may now be over, but it's a matter of just ten days before the lights go green on the real thing.



Ryan Briscoe Toyota* 1m37.588 51
Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1m39.440s 28
Cristiano da Matta Toyota 1m44.044s 32
*2003 car