Mugello test, day 2: Ferrari one-two
With McLaren's Mika Hakkinen taking care of things at Silverstone, the second big Formula 1 test of the week at Mugello in Italy was all about Ferrari, with Rubens Barrichello topping the times followed by team mate Luca Badoer in second spot
Almost a second separated the pair of Ferraris as both drivers carried out development work on electronic systems and tyres.
But winning both the teams' and drivers' titles last weekend in Hungary does not seem to have made the Maranello outfit any less concerned about giving away secrets to their rivals - all photography of the scarlet machines was forbidden in the Mugello pitlane.
Sauber star Nick Heidfeld continued his preparations for the Belgian Grand Prix in 10 days' time and completed aerodynamic set-up work on his way to setting the third fastest time.
Jarno Trulli was fourth and spent the day working on reliability for the Jordan team, even though the Italian is set to move to Benetton for next year following today's (Wednesday's) announcement that Giancarlo Fisichella is returning to Eddie Jordan's outfit. Team mate Jean Alesi finished just over a second behind in sixth place.
Jacques Villeneuve was behind the wheel for the BAR-Honda team and the Canadian concentrated on the set-up of his BAR003, adding more downforce as the day went on.
British Formula 3 Championship leader Takuma Sato was charged with power steering work in the second BAR. The Japanese ace finished seventh and spent the day working on the Brackley-based team's hydraulic power steering system, which is due to replace the electronic version for next year.
Minardi tester Andrea Piccini proved to be the day's moving chicane as he struggled to get on the pace in his PS01 and finished the day almost six seconds behind Barrichello's top time. Grand Prix driver-to-be Alex Yoong is due to take over before the end of the test.
Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari B, 1m24.36s, 70 laps
Luca Badoer, Ferrari B, 1m25.28s, 83 laps
Nick Heidfeld, Sauber-Petronas B, 1m25.60s, 88 laps
Jarno Trulli, Jordan-Honda B, 1m25.75s, 57 laps
Jacques Villeneuve, BAR-Honda B, 1m26.09s, 77 laps
Jean Alesi, Jordan-Honda B, 1m26.78s, 57 laps
Takuma Sato, BAR-Honda B, 1m27.89s, 63 laps
Andrea Piccini, Minardi-European M, 1m30.05s, 48 laps
Share Or Save This Story
"We love V8s" - What F1 manufacturers think about future engine regulations
How Leclerc’s hardest critic is always himself
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
Liberty: Miami "logical" destination for second US MotoGP race
"We love V8s" - What F1 manufacturers think about future engine regulations
Vanthoor joins McLaren's 2027 WEC programme on Porsche loan deal
WRC Rally Portugal: Solberg leads as Hyundai closes on Toyota
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments