Jaguar R3B Slowest on Barcelona Debut - Day Three

Finn Kimi Raikkonen posted the quickest time on the third day of testing at the Barcelona circuit, where the revised Jaguar R3B made its debut at the hands of Irishman Eddie Irvine.

The revised car, with a new aerodynamic package, finished more than two seconds off Raikkonen's pace, as the Jaguar team concentrated on assessing the new chassis.

Irvine completed a total of 50 laps, and the Milton Keynes team reported no problems at the end of the day. The Ultersman's best time, however, was set in the morning with the old R3 chassis.

McLaren's test driver Alexander Wurz was second quickest, completing a day of domination for the Woking-based squad, with Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia being third fastest with the first of the Williams. Teammate Marc Gene posted the eighth quickest time.

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen took over from teammate Enrique Bernoldi at the wheel of the only Arrows on track, the veteran driver completing 74 laps - more than a race distance - on his way to the fourth fastest time of today's session.

Briton Jenson Button, who topped the times on Wednesday, was unable to repeat his feat on Thursday, posting the fifth quickest time with the Renault. The French team concentrated on a tyre development programme for Michelin as well as testing engine developments.

Button also evaluated software modifications aimed at the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

"The week is continuing well," said Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne at the end of the session. "Jenson did a lot of laps today, allowing to collect useful data for the upcoming races."

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella was sixth fastest, the Jordan driver joining the test today, replacing Takuma Sato. Brazilian Felipe Massa finished near the bottom of the timesheets after crashing out with only five minutes of the session remaining.

The Sauber driver suffered a problem with his brakes, losing control of his car at the end of the straight. Brazilian Massa, however, emerged unscathed from the accident.

"Apart for my brake problem at the end of the day, this has been a very productive two days for me," said Massa. "On both days I did a lot of laps with the C21. After this test, I am feeling confident for Silverstone. I am looking forward to the British Grand Prix next week."

Meanwhile, Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld completed a successful two-day series of aerodynamic validation runs at the Vairano circuit in Italy.

Testing at Barcelona will conclude on Friday.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.762 88 2. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.862 48 3. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:18.067 88 4. Frentzen Arrows-Cosworth (B) 1:18.844 74 5. Button Renault (M) 1:19.077 97 6. Fisichella Jordan-Honda (B) 1:19.276 66 7. Massa Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:19.331 88 8. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:19.433 75 9. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:19.918 50 All Timing Unofficial

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