Ricard 1: Wurz sets pace

The Austrian went on a visit to the track, located just outside Bahrain's capital Manama, earlier this month and reckons the weather is not going to be as hot as most people are expecting for the grand prix on April 4.

Many Formula 1 insiders have predicted searing heat in Bahrain, with track temperatures topping 40C. But Wurz said the weather is cooler and more like spring, conditions which have suited the Bridgestone rubber of Ferrari and Michael Schumacher perfectly so far this season.

Wurz, who topped the first day of testing at French circuit Paul Ricard today (Tuesday), said: "The Bahrain circuit is so dusty and dirty, it is definitely going to be a Bridgestone track. The temperature when I visited was around 22C, certainly cool enough to suit Bridgestone more than Michelin."

If he is correct, it will be a huge blow to the Michelin-shod teams who were hoping to benefit from hotter weather, which never materialised in Australia or Malaysia.

At Paul Ricard, where the 4.157km 2D configuration of the circuit was used, Wurz was working on tyre and set-up development for McLaren, which has had a disappointing start to 2004. Fellow McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa was second quickest while testing rear suspension geometry, and the pair are expecting to try out a new rear wing aero package tomorrow.

Toyota test drivers Ricardo Zonta and Ryan Briscoe were also present, with Zonta working on tyre testing and set-up development. Briscoe was limited to 12 laps because his car was covered with sensors which were collating data but were not working in unison.

McLaren and Toyota will be joined tomorrow by Renault tester Franck Montagny, Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gene and BAR's Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson.


Alexander Wurz McLaren 1m12.825s 100
Pedro de la Rosa McLaren 1m12.875s 37
Ricardo Zonta Toyota 1m14.003s 87
Ryan Briscoe Toyota* 1m16.591s 12