Mugello test, day 4: Panis pounds on

With Ferrari, Jordan and Sauber having packed up on Thursday, Panis had a free track with only BAR test driver Takuma Sato and the Minardi of Alex Yoong for company.

With temperatures reaching almost 30 degrees Celsius, Panis managed to complete 99 laps while working on tyres, engine mapping and new dampers. The Frenchman was pleased with the results and the dampers are likely to be used at next weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, provided the Brackley-based team can get them prepared in time.

"It was a very tough day because it was really hot and I did almost 100 laps," said Panis. "But I feel very pleased and very positive."

Sato spent the day evaluating the set-ups of Panis and team mate Jacques Villeneuve in order to decide which one best suited the young Japanese ace's driving style. The British Formula 3 Championship leader is due to have another three days testing in the week after the Belgian GP.

Alex Yoong managed to hustle his Minardi PS01B around the Italian track in a much more respectable time of 1m27.93s. The Malaysian continues to rack up test miles in an effort to prove to motorsport's governing body, the FIA, that he is worthy of a super licence. He wound up 2.21s behind Panis' time after using new padding on his seat, but running was cut short towards the end of the day due to a gearbox problem.


Olivier Panis, BAR-Honda B, 1m25.62s, 99 laps
Takuma Sato, BAR-Honda B, 1m26.10s, 75 laps
Alex Yoong, Minardi-European M, 1m27.93s, 40 laps