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Jerez 4: Lap record for DLR

Pedro de la Rosa continued to demonstrate the pace of McLaren's new MP4-19 by setting the fastest time in testing at Jerez for the second day running today (Thursday), breaking the circuit lap record in the process

Unusually, the first three spots on the timesheets were filled by Spaniards, with de la Rosa heading compatriots Fernando Alonso and Marc Gene.

While de la Rosa was delighted with his record setting pace, set during a late qualifying-style run, his MP4-19 did encounter a number of mechanical troubles during the day. He was forced to stop out on the track twice and encountered further trouble in the pit-lane.

Renault star Alonso continued work on a Michelin tyre programme, while Gene continued work on BMW's 2004 engine. The Spaniard encountered few problems all weekend, and thinks that the manufacturer's work will pay off next season.

"I'm just so impressed by the work BMW has done," Gene told autosport.com. "We put a new engine in for today, but up until yesterday we did over 800km on a fresh engine. I really don't think anyone else has done that yet. We're way ahead of the others in terms of reliability."

Juan Pablo Montoya was fourth quickest for Williams, ahead of McLaren's other test driver, Alex Wurz, who was piloting an MP4-17D. Franck Montagny was sixth fastest, after completing a whopping 106 laps.

Luca Badoer and Rubens Barrichello were both in action for Ferrari, although they ended the day just seventh and eighth fastest respectively. Barrichello had a number of problems during a tyre test, and also reported that that handling of his car was off.



Takuma Sato was the fastest BAR runner, piloting a 2003-spec car while Jenson Button took charge of the 'concept car.' However, the Japanese driver was left slightly frustrated after he was unable to finish his Michelin tyre test programme.

Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes M 1m16.210s 54*
Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m16.705s 118
Marc Gene Williams-BMW (hybrid car) M 1m17.162s 88
Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m17.339s 62
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m17.665s 67
Franck Montagny Renault M 1m17.777s 106
Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m18.335s 75
Rubens Barrichello Ferrari B 1m18.371s 52
Takuma Sato BAR-Honda M 1m18.433s 41
Cristiano da Matta Toyota M 1m18.584s 71
Christian Klien Jaguar M 1m18.726s 92
Mark Webber Jaguar M 1m18.776s 66
Olivier Panis Toyota M 1m18.835s 69
Jenson Button BAR-Honda M 1m19.656s 51
Neil Jani Sauber-Petronas B 1m20.271s 94
Ho-Pin Tung Williams-BMW M 1m22.082s 41**

B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* De la Rosa in MP4-19
** Tung in 2002-spec Williams

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