Ralf Sets the Pace at Jerez - Day Two

German Ralf Schumacher got back to work today and set the pace on the first day of testing for the Williams team at the Jerez circuit.

Williams drivers Schumacher and Marc Gene joined Australian Ryan Briscoe at the Spanish track, the Toyota test driver having driven already on Tuesday.

The weather was better than yesterday, when Toyota's test was cut short due to a heavy rain, but it was not until mid-morning that the drivers present could run on a dry track, which was still wet from the overnight showers.

Schumacher, who retired from last Sunday's United States Grand Prix, was the quickest of the three drivers as he concentrated on tyre testing for Michelin ahead of the final race of the season in Japan.

Williams test driver Gene finished more than half a second behind Schumacher, the Spaniard losing some track time after crashing against the tyres barriers when he went off at the Michelin corner.

Gene caused some damage to the front of his car, but he could continue working once his mechanics fixed the FW25. He finished ahead of Briscoe, who was the busiest man today with a total of 117 laps at the wheel of the Michelin-shod Toyota.

Testing at Jerez continues tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. R.Schumacher Williams-BMW (M) 1:20.390 84 2. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:20.940 41 3. Briscoe Toyota (M) 1:22.367 117 All Timing Unofficial