Sato Finishes Paul Ricard Test on Top - Final Day

Japanese driver Takuma Sato finished at the top of the timesheets on the final day of this week's testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

The BAR-Honda driver, who had also gone quickest on Thursday, continued to show the Brackley team's impressive form with a lap of 1:10.472, which was the best time of the week. Sato, however, was followed closely by McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen in the MP4-19.

Juan Pablo Montoya posted the third quickest time of the day as Williams completed their programme ahead of the next race. The Colombian concentrated on a tyre testing programme, which was hampered in the afternoon after the rain fell once more over the French circuit.

Renault's test driver Franck Montagny managed the fourth fastest time of the session after completing a massive 163 laps. Montagny finished ahead of David Coulthard in the second McLaren and Antonio Pizzonia, who was back behind the wheel of the Williams.

Frenchman Olivier Panis and Brazilian Cristiano da Matta wrapped up Toyota's preparation work for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix. Panis was content with the week's work, although the veteran driver admitted he was not expecting to shine at the principality.

"We ran on the short circuit to prepare for Monaco, and that should work out quite well," said Panis, sixth quickest today ahead of da Matta.

"We have to be realistic, though, so I don't expect Monaco will be our best race of the year. But, like in Barcelona, I'll certainly do my best to qualify as high as possible and finish in the best place I can. If we're quick enough to get as high up the grid as we did in Spain then it will be a good job."

German Timo Glock returned to work with the Jordan team, taking over from Italian Giorgio Pantano at the wheel of the only EJ14 on track. For the fourth day running, the Silverstone-based squad's car finished at the bottom of the times.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:10.472 151 2. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:10.573 125 3. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:10.769 97 4. Montagny Renault (M) 1:11.085 163 5. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:11.163 119 6. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:11.272 119 7. Panis Toyota (M) 1:11.815 88 8. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:12.045 103 9. Glock Jordan-Ford (B) 1:13.768 100 All Timing Unofficial

Visit Atlas F1's Testing Center for further information