Montoya Outpaces Ferraris at Silverstone

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya set the quickest time on the final day of this week's testing at the Silverstone circuit in England.

Williams driver Montoya continued with the Grove-based team's programme of set-up work for the upcoming European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring circuit. The Colombian finished ahead of World Champion Michael Schumacher and Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

"Throughout the test this week, the team has focused on set-up work of the FW25 as well as completing some tyre testing for the imminent European races," said Williams' chief operations engineer Sam Michael. "We also ran various mechanical components for the gearbox and the engine along with some new aero parts in preparation for Nurburgring.

"The development of the car is definitely progressing well from the aerodynamic and mechanical side so we're fairly confident of securing some more valuable points in the next few races."

World Champions Ferrari continued working with three drivers at the British track, with Brazilian tester Felipe Massa again at the wheel of the old F2002 while Schumacher and Barrichello were driving this year's F2003-GA.

Ferrari's racing drivers focussed on electronics and tyre testing, while Massa worked exclusively on tyre tests for Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone. Heinz-Harald Frentzen replaced teammate Nick Heidfeld at the wheel of the only Sauber in action at Silverstone and set the fourth fastest time.

"Today we have verified the data which Nick Heidfeld collected for us during the last two days," explained Sauber's race engineer Remi Decorzent. "We have also tested some new aerodynamic parts and worked a bit on the set-up and with Bridgestone too.

"Overall, the purpose of this test was to prepare the C22 for the next races at the Nurburgring and in Silverstone in July. Our drivers covered a lot of laps and could gather comprehensive data. By analysing them we found some interesting results, although only the next races will show how the new findings will work out."

The BAR team wrapped up their three-day programme at Silverstone, again working with both their racing drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button. The Canadian was fifth fastest while the Briton finished in seventh position, only ahead of Jaguar's Mark Webber, who took over from teammate Brazilian Pizzonia to complete the Milton Keynes team's test.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:19.585 63 2. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:20.353 53 3. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:20.529 90 4. Frentzen Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:21.403 90 5. Villeneuve BAR-Honda (B) 1:21.799 59 6. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:22.197 62 7. Button BAR-Honda (B) 1:22.207 84 8. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:22.498 72 All Timing Unofficial

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