Paul Ricard day 2: Alonso sets pace

Renault's Fernando Alonso set the fastest time in testing at Paul Ricard today (Wednesday), the Spaniard sharing the track with Renault team-mate Jarno Trulli and Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta

Jan 22, 2003, 6:20 PM

Reigning Dallara Nissan champion Zonta was having one of his first outings with the Toyota squad as part of his new role with the team. He set the second fastest time, seven-tenths down on Alonso's best. Trulli was third quickest, a further four-tenths of a second shy.

Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne said: "As the track was still damp from yesterday's rain, we lost the morning but managed to cover a decent mileage with both drivers in the afternoon. Both Jarno and Fernando conducted a tyre programme for Michelin, with Fernando running a revised spec engine."

Renault will blood its new R23 chassis on track at Paul Ricard tomorrow, following on from its launch in Lucerne on Monday.

Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m35.186s 53
Ricardo Zonta Toyota M 1m35.829s 53
Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m36.235s 33

M = Michelin