Imola day 3: Villeneuve back on top

The Canadian drove both powerplants today, completing 15 laps this morning with the new unit, which is more powerful but heavier, and then conducting a tyre test with the older specification engine this afternoon.

"It was a tyre development day today, so I've done quite a few longish runs," Villeneuve told autosport.com. "But I think we know what we want for the first race in terms of tyres."

Asked about the new engines, Villeneuve said: "The new engine tends to survive better but it does affect the balance of the car because it's heavier, so I really don't know which one. I cannot decide today. Both engines have plus and minus sides to them, so the team is going to look at the data from the test and then decide."

Marc Gene was second fastest in his final test of the off-season, ahead of McLaren's test driver Alex Wurz.

Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta was also in action today, working on the team's set-up for the Imola circuit after the Japanese cars struggled in the San Marino Grand Prix last year.

"I started where Cristiano left off," said Zonta. "I personally don't know how much better it is because I haven't driven in the old car with the old aerodynamic package before, but the team is happy. We've finished the programme here and I can't wait to go to Australia."

Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m21.393s 78
Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m22.650s 80*
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m22.925s 58
Ricardo Zonta M 1m23.678s 68*

B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* denotes 2002 car