Mugello test day 3: Ferrari leave on top
Rubens Barrichello set an ultra-fast time on Ferrari's final day at Mugello as if to emphasise the competitiveness of the forthcoming F2003-GA chassis. The team now heads off to its own test track, Fiorano, before making a final decision on whether to run the new car in the Spanish Grand Prix in just over a week's time
Barrichello's team-mate Luca Badoer was second quickest in the sister car and was the only other man to slip into the 1m21s bracket.
The McLaren-Mercedes team, running predominantly a tyre development programme, was third and fourth quickest with Kimi Raikkonen eight tenths faster than the team's new tester Pedro de la Rosa. The team has also now packed up and left.
Jacques Villeneuve's BAR-Honda was fifth fastest despite an engine failure ahead of the Toyotas of Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta. The Brazilian, who is testing at his favourite circuit "in the world", had to sit out six hours of today's session with "various technical problems."
Jenson Button was eighth fastest ahead of Sauber's Nick Heidfeld who reported a satisfactory day's running. Trying new aero parts he discovered a new set-up that pleased him although the German said that Sauber really needs a big step forward soon.
Beleaguered Jaguar driver Antonio Pizzonia's cause was not helped today by two engine failures which limited his running to just 35 laps. The Brazilian remained positive about his situation despite rumours of his imminent departure from the team: "I think I have a chance to prove what I can do and I will do it.
"We had an aero and suspension programme scheduled for today but I couldn't do anything. I hope that tomorrow we get a chance to change that. I also hope I have a productive weekend in lots of ways in Spain!"
Rubens Barrichello Ferrari B 1m21.193s 74
Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m21.869s 86
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes M 1m22.467s 61
Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes M 1m23.255s 35
Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda B 1m23.559s 93
Olivier Panis Toyota M 1m23.630s 52
Cristiano da Matta Toyota M 1m23.868s 61
Jenson Button BAR-Honda B 1m23.895s 88
Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas B 1m23.985s 97
Antonio Pizzonia Jaguar M 1m24.979s 35
B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin
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