Montoya Shatters Valencia Track Record - Day Two

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya set a new track record at Valencia, on the second day of testing at the Spanish circuit this week.

The Williams driver, who had topped the times on Monday with the new FW25, set a quickest lap of 1:10.153, nearly three tenths of a second faster than the previous benchmark, set by Scot David Coulthard with his McLaren at the end of last year.

Both Montoya and teammate Ralf Schumacher carried out a pit-stop practice programme, and the German finished more than two seconds off the Colombian's pace with the second BMW-powered FW25.

The Renault team continued working with both Fernando Alonso and test driver Allan McNish, whose progress yesterday was hampered by an engine problem. Today the Scot again concentrated on race-reliability evaluation, while Alonso worked on a tyre testing programme for French manufacturer Michelin.

"We are quite satisfied with today's running," said Renault's test team manager Carlos Nunes. "In spite of engine problems which hampered his testing, Allan was able to continue his work on reliability for chassis and engine.

"Fernando completed his programme focusing on tyre work for Michelin in preparation for the first Grand Prix of the season. He also did some short and endurance runs, trying at the same time different engine set-ups. Tomorrow, we will continue our testing on one chassis with Fernando running in the morning."

Spaniard Alonso was the quickest of the Renault duo, finishing second behind Montoya and ahead of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who joined the test today. The Ferrari driver, at the wheel of the F2002, completed a massive 111 laps, covering almost 450 kilometres on his way to the third fastest time of the day.

Briton Ralph Firman was again at the wheel of the new Ford-powered Jordan EJ13 after making his debut with the British team on Monday. Firman continued to show good progress with the Bridgestone-shod car, setting the fifth quickest time of the day after 48 laps.

"It was quite a 'stop-start' day because of the small problems so it was slightly more challenging for Ralph today, but he is finding his feet and doing a very competent job," said Jordan's Gary Anderson. "Drivers have to adapt to grooved tyres when they have been used to slicks, and it's encouraging that Ralph hasn't put a wheel wrong in two days."

Firman will be replaced tomorrow by teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, while the Jaguar and BAR teams will also join the session.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:10.153 49 2. Alonso Renault (M) 1:10.872 75 3. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:10.929 111 4. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:12.528 58 5. Firman Jordan-Ford (B) 1:13.606 48 6. McNish Renault (M) 1:14.343 52 All Timing Unofficial

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