Jerez 4: Ralf quickest

However, Schumacher wasn't entirely happy with his day's work, as an unspecified technical problem prevented the team from completing a race simulation run. Ralf had just made his first pit-stop when he was forced to stop again, prematurely ending his 'race'.

"We did some programmes, but we had some problems," said Schumacher. "It was good, but we have to address those issues."

Pedro de la Rosa was third fastest for McLaren. The Spaniard managed to complete 93 laps, although he still suffered a number of technical problems with the MP4-19, including one Mercedes engine failure early in the morning.

Alex Wurz had a tougher time running in the "experimental" version of the MP4-19, which is understood to be fitted with a carbon gearbox. "The first part of the test [when Wurz drove the 'standard' MP4-19] was good, but the second part was not that good," he said. "We had some problems, but we did some good runs in the standard car."

However, the highlight of the Austrian's day came shortly after running finished for the day. As Wurz's birthday is on Sunday, his mechanics decided to mark the occasion by pouring a vibrantly green mixture, featuring gearbox fluid and lunch leftovers, over his head.

Rubens Barrichello continued Ferrari's steady yet unspectacular tyre test programme. Although the Brazilian was still running in the F2003-GA, he believes that the groundwork will pay off come the opening race.



"It was very constructive, because what we've found he and in Barcelona we are building up to make a tyre selection for Melbourne for the new car," said Barrichello. "It was good to do so much running. The lap times do not present much, be when other dropped their pace we were able to run the same or faster times, so it was very encouraging. But it's hard to say what the others are doing.

"I'm pretty confident that Bridgestone will do a good job, but I know the new car is really good. The car is a little bit different [from last year], but I think it's a good car."

Ferrari also confirmed that it will not run its new car at Imola next week, ensuring that the F2004 will not go head-to-head against another car until the first practice session in Melbourne.

Nick Heidfeld propped up the timesheets for Jordan. The German worked on a set-up and tyres programme, but a major gearbox problem just after lunch cost him nearly three hours of running.

Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW M 1m16.953s 66
Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m17.315s 35
Pedro de la Roda McLaren-Mercedes M 1m17.740s 93
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m17.914s 39
Rubens Barrichello Ferrari B 1m18.369s 79*
Nick Heidfeld Jordan-Ford B 1m20.376s 54

B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
* denotes 2003 car