Ralf Sets the Pace at Barcelona - Day Two

Ralf Schumacher set the fastest time on the second day of testing at the Barcelona circuit with his Williams-BMW, lapping more than half a second faster than his brother's pole position time in the 2000 Spanish Grand Prix.

Schumacher, who was second fastest on Tuesday behind Giancarlo Fisichella's Benetton, was more than four tenths clear off the closest of all the Michelin runners.

Fisichella, working on tyre construction comparisons and set up work, was second quickest after being unable to repeat yesterday's time.

The Italian was closely followed by Eddie Irvine in the Jaguar, who finished ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya in the second Williams and Jenson Button in the Benetton.

The Renault-powered team introduced a third car for Spanish 19-year old star Fernando Alonso, who was leased by Minardi in order to complete the necessary kilometers to obtain his superlicence.

Alonso completed 175km, more than half the required 300km, setting the eighth fastest time, ahead of Prost drivers Jean Alesi and Enrique Bernoldi.

Bernoldi, a candidate to fill the second seat in the French team, lapped only three tenths of a second slower than Alesi, currently the most experienced Formula One driver.

The three-day session at Barcelona will come to an end on Thursday.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time 1. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:20.457 2. Fisichella Benetton-Renault (M) 1:20.911 3. Irvine Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:20.968 4. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:21.106 5. Button Benetton-Renault (M) 1:21.182 6. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:22.713 7. Burti Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:22.793 8. Alonso Benetton-Renaul (M) 1:23.010 9. Alesi Prost-Peugeot (M) 1:23.329 10. Bernoldi Prost-Peugeot (M) 1:23.688 All Timing Unofficial