Jerez, day 4: McLaren 1-2

The test began with the circuit shrouded in a light layer of mist, but as it lifted the temperatures rose but all the best times were set in the morning when the track was cooler.

Alex Wurz was Coulthard's nearest challenger. Like the Scot, Wurz was working on general set-up of the MP4-17, particularly its suspension. Coulthard was one of a number of drivers to go off during the test, but despite that he still covered 82 laps.

Fernando Alonso was again the quicker of the Renaults in third; Jarno Trulli was sixth. Both drivers conducted tyre testing for the French GP and electronic assessment. Trulli also carried out some brake work.

After his engine troubles yesterday, Juan Pablo Montoya was able to conduct a serious amount of testing today. The Colombian managed 63 laps of suspension work and feels that the team has made progress despite his limited running.

"It was a little bit better today," he smiled. "We spent most of our time doing suspension work and general set-up. We didn't really do any tyre work, but the car is feeling very good."

Montoya brought out two red flags. One after his car stopped with a technical problem, the other when he spun without damage. Ferrari tester Luciano Burti was another spinner as he completed his mammoth tyre testing programme in the F2001.

The biggest accident of the day actually occurred two minutes after the session had ended. Ryan Briscoe was on a late flying lap in his Toyota, when he got out of shape running through the quick left-hander that leads into Curva Sito Pons. The car ran over the kerbs and onto the grass, clouting the barrier with the right rear first before the front end followed in. The car was spun around by the force of the impact and the left front was damaged too, but Briscoe was okay and the team thinks that the chassis is undamaged.


David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes M 1m19.242s 82
Alex Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m19.697s 75
Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m19.972s 60
Luciano Burti Ferrari* B 1m20.096s 90
Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1m20.668s 63
Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m20.986s 59
Eddie Irvine Jaguar M 1m21.532s 51
Ryan Briscoe Toyota M 1m21.982s 48
Patrick Lemarie BAR-Honda* B 1m22.703s

M = Michelin
B = Bridgestone
* denotes 2001 car