Raikkonen Lowers Valencia Record - Day Three

Finn Kimi Raikkonen left all of his McLaren team's problems behind on the third day of testing at the Valencia circuit to set a new track record with his MP4-19.

McLaren driver Raikkonen became the first Formula One driver to lap the Ricardo Tormo circuit in less than 69 seconds, eclipsing the record set by Williams rival Juan Pablo Montoya on Wednesday.

Raikkonen, however, was not the only man to set a better time than Montoya, as Jaguar's Mark Webber also went quicker than what the Colombian had managed.

Webber finished as second quickest with a time of 1:09.096 after a very busy day. His Jaguar teammate Christian Klien, like Webber driving the new R5 car, had a productive day too but could only set the slowest time of the session.

Ralf Schumacher was third quickest in the first of the Williams FW26, the German taking over from Spanish test driver Marc Gene. Colombian Montoya was only fourth fastest today after 119 laps.

BAR-Honda continued putting miles in their 006 car, but they failed to impress in today's session, with Takuma Sato finishing in sixth position right ahead of Briton Jenson Button.

Brazilian test driver Ricardo Zonta posted the eighth fastest time as the Japanese squad continued with the development work of the TF104. Zonta outpaced his compatriot and teammate Cristiano da Matta, who was tenth quickest only ahead of Klien.

Testing at Valencia concludes tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:08.995 69 2. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:09.096 128 3. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:09.406 76 4. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:09.436 119 5. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:09.493 106 6. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1.09.615 94 7. Button BAR-Honda (M) 1:09.706 82 8. Zonta Toyota (M) 1:10.092 82 9. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:10.292 53 10. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:10.733 56 11. Klien Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:11.323 124 All Timing Unofficial

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