Raikkonen Sets Pace at Valencia - Day Two

Finn Kimi Raikkonen set an impressive pace on the second day of testing at the Valencia circuit, where after a rainy first session, the weather improved and all eight Formula One teams present at the Spanish circuit were capable of working in preparation for the San Marino Grand Prix next week.

McLaren driver Raikkonen joined the session on Wednesday after missing the first day of work, and at the wheel of the Michelin-shod MP4-17, the young Finn was nearly 1.5 seconds quicker than Frenchman Olivier Panis, who with his BAR caused the session to be red flagged twice today after spinning off the track.

Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished in fifth place at the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday, also joined the test today with the Williams team, the Colombian being the busiest man on track today at the wheel of the FW24.

Montoya completed a total of 100 laps on his way to the third quickest time of the day. Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia was again in action today, posting the seventh fastest time with the hybrid FW23.

Sauber's Nick Heidfeld was only sixth fastest after topping the timesheets on Tuesday. The German caused the third red flag of the day at the Spanish track when he went off the track.

"The weather has improved, which is good, since it means that over the two days we have been able to test under wet and dry conditions," said Heidfeld.

"Added to aerodynamic work that we did yesterday, today's work session has helped pave the way for Felipe (Massa) to put the Sauber C21 through its final day of testing here tomorrow."

Jordan's Takuma Sato and Giancarlo Fisichella were eighth and ninth respectively, while Jarno Trulli continued with the development of the Renault R202 and finished in tenth.

"An extremely useful day's running after yesterday's difficulties," said Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne. "This morning, we conducted a number of reliability tests with new and modified components.

"We ran a tyre test for Michelin in the afternoon, but this was made difficult by the windy conditions. Overall, although the times may not suggest it at first glance, we had a very productive day."

Allan McNish was again working for the Toyota team, the Scot finishing the day nearly four seconds off Raikkonen's time after only 27 laps.

"We had an electronical problem today," explained McNish. "It was definitely important to find the problem before the next race. I also did some useful brake testing and worked on set-up for next week's Imola Grand Prix. This Valencia track is certainly enjoyable and fun to drive."

Testing will continue on Thursday.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:13.175 44 2. Panis BAR-Honda (B) 1:14.545 77 3. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:14.566 100 4. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:14.683 67 5. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:14.796 33 6. Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:14.831 85 7. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:14.833 94 8. Sato Jordan-Honda (B) 1:15.050 49 9. Fisichella Jordan-Honda (B) 1:15.790 8 10. Trulli Renault (M) 1:15.863 77 11. McNish Toyota (M) 1:17.085 27 12. Davidson BAR-Honda (B) 1:17.319 9 All Timing Unofficial

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